tihxaxy  of  €he  €Keolo0ical  ^tmimry 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 


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PRESENTED  BY 

Yale  Divinity  School  Library 


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APR    8  1949 


HISTORY    ^oe,0AL8t#^ 


CF 


ST.    GEORGES    CHURCH 


HEMPSTEAD 


LONG  ISLAND,  N.  Y. 


REV.    WILLIAM    H.    MOORE,    D.D. 


RECTOR   OF  ST.    GEORGE'S   CHURCH,    HEMPSTEAD 


NEW  YORK 
E.  R  BUTTON  &  COMPANY 


ORPHANS      PRESS, 

CHURCH    CHARITY    FOUNDATION, 

BROOKLYN,    N.  Y. 


PREFACE. 


HERODOTUS  declares  that  his  object  in 
writing  his  history  was  *'in  order  that 
events  which  have  taken  place  may  not  vanish 
from  mankind  by  time." 

In  preparing  the  work  herewith  presented 
to  the  public  the  compiler  has  been  influenced 
by  a  like  motive.  There  are  facts  relating  to 
the  origin  and  growth  of  St.  George's  parish 
which,  in  a  Churchman's  view,  are  worthy  of 
being  generally  known,  and  which  should  be 
rescued  from  the  oblivion  to  which  they  are  in- 
creasingly exposed  and  which  was  already  en- 
shrouding some  of  them. 

Some  of  the  facts  here  related  may  possibly 
be  considered  of  but  little  importance,  and  per- 
haps none  of  them  will  be  deemed  of  much 
moment  to  the  world.  Yet  as  those  who  come 
after  us  may  desire  the  very  information  we 
may  now  lightly  esteem,  so  it  has  been  deemed 
prudent  not  to  omit    anything    which    might 


4  Preface. 

serve  to  give  a  true  picture  of  the  parish  in  its 
several  stages  of  progress,  and  of  the  men  who 
were  the  principal  actors  in  it. 

Many  of  the  facts  here  narrated  have  been 
gathered  only  by  prolonged  and  persistent 
investigation.  And  this  simple  history  will 
indicate  to  those  only  who  have  engaged  in 
similar  undertakings  how  much  patient  research 
has  been  necessary  to  secure  and  reduce  to  the 
form  of  a  consistent  narrative  the  facts  which 
are  here  presented. 

My  facts  have  been  derived  principally  from 
the  Parish  Records,  which,  in  the  early  dates,  are 
happily  fuller  and  in  a  better  state  of  preserva- 
tion than  those  of  most  of  the  Colonial  parishes. 
The  other  sources  of  my  information  I  have 
commonly  noted. 

I  return  thanks  to  those  who  have  obligingly 
furnished  me  with  accounts  of  the  organization 
of  their  several  parishes  located  within  the 
original  limits  of  St.  George's  Parish ;  viz.,  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  Samuel  W.  Sayres,  S.  Stebbins 
Stocking,  J.  C.  Middleton,  S.T.D.,  W.  P. 
Brush,  and  W.  M.  Geer. 

But,  like  every  one  who  seeks  information 
on  any  subject  relating  to  the  antiquities  of 
Long  Island,  I  owe  especial  thanks  to  Henry 
Onderdonk,  Jr.,  of  Jamaica,  not  only  for  a 
valuable  contribution  of  facts    which    he    had 


Preface,  5 

gleaned  with  great  industry;  but  also  for  words 
of  encouragement  to  persist  in  a  task  the  mag- 
nitude of  which,  small  as  it  may  seem  even 
now  to  others,  was  little  foreseen  at  the  begin- 
ning. 

I  have  felt  the  more  inclined  to  heed  his 
encouraging  words  and  do  what  I  could  to  ac- 
quaint the  public  with  the  history  of  one  of  the 
oldest  parishes  in  the  land,  from  a  grateful 
recollection  of  the  quiet  and  happiness  I  have 
enjoyed  as  its  Rector  for  nearly  a  third  of  a 
century. 

W.  H.   M. 

St.  George's  Rectory,  Hempstead, 
Easter  Tuesday ^  1881. 


LIST    OF     RECTORS 

WITH    THE    PERIOD    AND    LENGTH    OF    THEIR    REC- 
TORSHIPS. 


Rev.  John  Thomas Ft 

Robert  Jenney,  LL.D.  ,. 

Samuel  Seabury 

Leonard  Cutting 

Thomas  Lambert  Moore 
John  Henry  Hobart... 

Seth  Hart 

R.  D.  Hall 

W.  M,  Carmichael,  D.D. 

O.  Harriman,  Jr 

Wm.  H.  Moore,  D.D.... 


om  1704  to  1724 20  years. 

1726  to  1742 16  years.. 

1742  to  1764 22  years. 

1766  to  1783 17  years. 

1785  to  1799 14  years. 

1800 6  mos. 

1800  to  1829 28  years. 

1829  to  1834 5  years. 

1834  to  1843 9  years. 

1844  to  1849 5  years. 

1849  to 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER  I.  1695-1726. 
•Legislation  which  prepared  the  way  for  introducing  the  Church — 
Duke  of  York's  laws  first  proclaimed  at  a  representative  Assembly 
at  Hempstead — Services  held  by  the  Rev.  William  Vesey  and  the 
Rev.  George  Keith — The  Rev.  John  Thomas  appointed  missionary 
to  Hempstead  by  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in 
Foreign  Parts — His  Induction  to  the  Rectorship — Reports  of  his 
labors  made  to  the  Society — His  death 9 

CHAPTER  n.  1726-1742. 
:Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Jenney  is  appointed  Mr.  Thomas'  successor — Bio- 
graphy of  Dr.  Jenney — Account  of  the  Church  property  and  the 
sources  from  which  it  was  derived — Reports  made  to  the  Society  by 
Dr.  Jenney — Site  granted  by  the  Town  and  a  Church  built — Cere- 
monies of  its  opening  by  Gov.  Cosby — A  charter  granted  to  the 
Parish — Its  peculiar  features — Remains  still  the  organic  law  of  the 
Parish,  never  having  been  amended  or  altered — Dartmouth  College 
case  as  bearing  on  its  inviolability — Dr.  Jenney  resigns  and  removes 
to  Philadelphia — Account  of  his  death — Gifts  to  the  Church  by 
John  March 43 

CHAPTER  HI.     1742-1764. 
"Rev.    Samuel    Seabury   appointed    to  the  Rectorship — Biography — 
His  Induction — Extensive  field  of  his  ministrations — His  successful 
labors — Reports  made  by  him  to  the  Venerable  Society — Encoun- 
ters oppositions,  and  how  he  met  them — His  school — His  death.  79 

CHAPTER  IV.  1766-1784. 
^ev.  Leonard  Cutting  becomes  Rector — His  Biography — Warning 
signs  of  the  approaching  Revolutionary  War — Incidents  in  the 
Parish  during  the  war — Predominance  of  Royalists  in  the  Parish — 
Mr.  Cutting  vacates  the  rectorship  at  the  close  of  the  war — His 
subsequent  occupations  and  death 109 

CHAPTER  V.  1784-1799. 
^ev.  Thomas  Lambert  Moore  called  to  fill  the  vacancy — Mode  of  his 
Induction — Biography — One  of  the  original  promoters  of  the  organi- 
zation  of  the  Church  in  the  United  States— Ofiice  and  duties  of 
Clerk  described — Communion  Plate,  and  whence  derived — First 
ordination  in  New  York  held  at  Hempstead— Rev.  Mr.  Provoost's 
opposition  to  Bishop  Seabury— The  attachment  to  him  of  St. 
•George's  Parish — New  Rectory  resolved   on  and  built— Sale  of  a 


8  Contents, 

portion  of  the  Parsonage  farm  South,  and  purchase  of  Greenfield 
farm — History  of  the  Church  and  Parish  at  Oyster  Bay — The  first 
Confirmation  in  St.  George's  Parish — Death  of  the  Rev,  Mr.  Moore 
— ^Tributes  to  his  memory— Death  of  the  last  member  of  his  family. 

141 
CHAPTER  VI.     1799-1829. 

Rev.  John  Henry  Hobart  becomes  Rector — His  brief  stay — Removal 
to  Trinity  Church,  New  York — The  Rev.  Seth  Hart  called— His  bio- 
graphy— Christ  Church,  Manhasset,  organized  and  set  off  as  an 
independent  parish — A  new  church  built  in  Hempstead — Rev.  Mr. 
Hart's  Sermon  at  its  consecration — His  impaired  health — Resigna- 
tion — Death I9X 

CHAPTER  VH.  1829-1849. 
Rev.  Richard  D.  Hall  becomes  Rector— Peculiarities  of  the  call  given 
him — Excitement  at  4th  of  July  celebration — An  annual  meeting  of 
the  Parish  "postponed"— Account  of  organization  of  St.  Paul's 
Church,  Glen  Cove — First  Sunday  School  in  the  Parish — Mr.  Hall 
resigns — Rev.  William  M.  Carmichael  becomes  Rector — Sale  of 
glebe  and  diversion  of  funds— Organization  and  subsequent  history 
of  Trinity  Church,  Rockaway — Lecture  Room  built  for  St.  George's 
Church — Dr.  Carmichael  resigns — Bishop  Coxre's  Ballad  on  St- 
George's  Churchyard— Rev.  Orlando  Harriman,  Jr.  called  to  the 
Rectorship — Grace  Church,  South  Oyster  Bay,  organized — Rev. 
Mr.  Harriman  resigns 224 

CHAPTER  VIH.  1849- 
Rectorship  of  the  Rev.  William  H.  Moore,  D.  D. — Alterations  and 
improvements  made  in  the  Church  and  Rectory — Their  Cost — 
clock  purchased — the  subscribers  to  it — Parish  Library  established 
— Bequest  to  it  from  Thomas  W.  C.  Moore — Report  of  Committee 
on  inviolability  of  funds  bequeathed  for  Rector's  support — Parish  of 
Trinity  Church,  Roslyn,  organized— Garden  City  founded — Cathe- 
dral of  the  Incarnation — Lines  on  the  burial  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Nichols 2^^ 

Appendix  A. 
Bishop  Coxe's  Ballad  on  St.  George^s  Churchyard, 283 

Appendix  B. 
List  of  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  St.  George's  Church 287 

Appendix  C. 
Charter  of  St.  George's  Church 288 


ST.  GEORGKS   CHURCH, 

HEMPSTEAD. 


CHAPTER     I. 

1695— 1724. 

ST.  GEORGE'S  PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH  in  Hempstead  owes  its  establishment, 
under  God,  to  the  venerable  Society  for  the  Propaga- 
tion of  the  Gospel,  and  was  one  of  the  first  fruits  of 
its  organization  in  England  in  1701.  But  various 
■events  had  prepared  the  way  for  this  establishment, 
and  even  for  the  selecting  of  this  place  for  the  mis- 
sionary operations  of  the  Society.  As  early  as  the 
closing  years  of  the  seventeenth  century,  steps  were 
taken  leading  to  the  introduction  of  the  Church  in 
this  town.  One  of  these  preparatory  steps  was,  that 
on  the  first  of  March,  1665,  Governor  Richard  Nich- 
'Ols  gathered  in  this  very  town  of  Hempstead  the  first 
;representative  assembly  ever  convened  in  the  pro- 
vince of  New  York.  There  were  present  two  repre- 
sentatives from  each  town  on  Long  Island,  and  two 
from  Westchester  County.  The  representatives  from 
Hempstead  township  were   John    Hicks   and   Robert 


lO  S^.   George  s  Church, 

Jackson.  Before  this  assembly,  Governor  Nichols 
laid  his  own  commission  from  the  Duke  of  York,  to 
whom  this  province  had  been  granted  by  his  brother, 
Charles  II.  He  also  produced  a  code  of  laws  by 
which  he  was  ordered  by  the  Duke  to  govern  the 
province  of  New  York.  This  code  of  laws,  commonly 
called  ''  The  Duke's  Laws,"  continued  to  be  the  laws 
of  the  colony  until  October,  1683.  One  article 
of  this  code  forbade  any  minister  to  officiate  in  the 
province  unless  he  had  satisfied  the  Governor  that 
he  had  received  ordination  from  some  Protestant 
bishop  or  minister  within  some  part  of  his  majesty's 
dominion.  Another  provided  for  the  establishment 
and  orderly  management  of  the  spiritual  and  tempo- 
ral afifairs  of  parishes  through  eight  overseers,  the 
constables  and  overseers  to  elect  two  of  their  number 
to  be  church-wardens,  and  for  the  support  of  a  minis- 
ter by  a  rate  upon  the  town."^ 

In  1686  Governor  Dongan,  the  fifth  governor  of 
the  province,  was  instructed  "  to  take  care  that  God 
Almighty  be  devoutly  served  throughout  the  govern- 
ment, the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  as  it  is  now  es- 
tablished be  read  every  Sunday  and  Holy  Day, 
and  the  blessed  Sacraments  administered  according 
to  the  rites  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  no  minis- 
ter be  preferred  to  any  ecclesiastical  benefice  in  the 
province  without  a  certificate  from  the  Arch-Bishop  of 
Canterbury." 

These  instructions  were  not  immediately  enforced, 

*  See  Hoffman,  Ecclesiastical  Laws  of  New  York,  pp.  2,  3.     Also 
Bolton,  Church  in  Westchester  Co.,  p.  x. 


Governor  Fletcher,  il 

and  when  compliance  to  them  was  required,  the 
officers  whose  duty  it  was  to  make  the  requisition, 
were,  by  many,  bitterly  reproached,  and  a  great  outcry 
was  made  as  if  some  unexpected  imposition  was  laid 
upon  them. 

A  hindrance  to  complying  with  the  instructions 
arose  from  the  fact  that  the  population  of  the  southern 
part  of  the  Province  was  composed  principally  of 
Dutch,  who  were  connected  with  the  Church  of  Hol- 
land ;  or  dissenters  from  the  Church  of  England.  But, 
in  New  York,  and  in  Queens  County  especially,  there 
-  were  some  adherents  to  that  Church,  some  of  whom 
were  holding  office  under  the  government,  and  were 
persons  of  influence. 

But  no  measures  were  taken  for  several  years  after 
Gov.  Dongan's  departure  to  introduce  the  Services  of 
the  Episcopal  Church  even  in  those  parts  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  York  where  members  of  the  Church 
were  settled. 

There  was  a  chaplain  to  the  British  forces  in  New 
York,  who  held  services  within  the  fort.  But  there 
was  no  other  Episcopal  clergyman  in  all  the  Province 
to  maintain  the  claims  of  the  Church  and  administer 
the  W.ord  and  Sacraments.  Of  this  period,  in  a  com- 
munication from  this  county,  the  writer  says : 

"  Before  Gov.  Fletcher  there  was  no  provision  made 
for  the  maintenance  or  support  of  a  minister  of  the 
Church  of  England;  nor  church  erected  in  any  part 
of  the  Province  for  the  members  thereof  to  worship 
God  in."  * 

•  N.  Y.  M.S.S.,  and  Bolton,  p.  xiii. 


12  S^.  Georges  Church, 

But  a  change  was  now  to  take  place. 

In  1692  Col.  Benjamin  Fletcher  became  Governor 
of  the  Province.  He  was  a  firm,  decided  and  zealous 
Churchman;  and  he  felt  it  to  be  his  duty,  as  it  was 
also  his  privilege,  to  carry  into  effect  the  instructions 
given  by  the  royal  proprietor  of  the  Province  to  his 
predecessor.  Gov.  Dongan,  and  to  promote  the  estab- 
lisment  of  the  Church  to  which — as  well  as  to  the 
State — he  had  sworn  to  be  faithful  and  true.  He  en- 
deavored to  have  the  Assembly  of  the  Province  make 
provision  for  tlie  Church.  For  doing  this  his  motives, 
have  been  aspersed — his  character  maligned,  and  he 
stigmatized  as  a  *'  bigot,"  and  "  a  narrow-minded  sec- 
tarist,"  by  Smith,  in  his  History  of  New  York,  and  by 
some  recent  writers.  But  it  is  not  apparent  whereia 
his  offence  consisted,  and  a  very  favorable  contrast 
to  him  might  be  drawn  with  the  deeds  of  many  whose 
views  were  contrary  to  his. 

Gov.  Fletcher  succeeded  in  his  effort  with  the  As- 
sembly of  New  York,  so  far  as  to  get  them  to  pass  a 
Bill  in  Sept.  1693,  providing  for  "  Setthng  a  Minister 
and  raising  a  maintenance  for  them  in  the  City  of 
New  York  and  the  Counties  of  Richmond,  West- 
chester and  Queens."  The  Bill  provided  that  in 
Queens  County  there  "  Should  be  two  Protestant 
Ministers  called  and  inducted  within  a  year,  to  offici- 
ate and  have  the  Care  of  Souls ; — one  to  have  charge 
of  Jamaica  and  the  adjoining  towns  and  farms  ;  the 
other  to  have  charge  of  Hempstead  and  the  next  adja- 
cent towns  and  farms."  Thus,  by  the  way,  it  is  to  be 
noted,  were  the  boundaries  of  St  George's  Parish  de- 


Governor  Fletcher, 


rs 


creed  and  defined^  as  embracing  all  Queens  County- 
east  of  Jamaica. 

The  third  section  of  the  act  required  that  "the 
freeholders  of  every  City,  County  and  Precinct  should 
annually,  on  the  2d  Tuesday  of  January,  chuse  Ten 
Vestrymen  and  Two  Churchwardens,"  these,  with  the 
Justices,  were  "  to  lay  a  reasonable  tax  on  said  respect- 
ive Cities,  &c. ,  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Minister  and 
Poor  of  their  respective  places." 

The  majority  of  the  Assembly  were  dissenters ;: 
and  the  act  was  so  drawn  as  to  prevent  its  provisions- 
from  yielding  any  especial  benefit  to  the  Church  of 
England.  In  the  language  of  Col.  Morris,  a  member 
of  the  Governor's  Council,  **the  Act  to  settle  the 
Church  is  very  loosly  w^orded — the  dissenters  claim- 
ing the  benefit  of  it  as  well  as  we."t 

It  will  be  noticed  that  Ministers  were  to  be  called 
and  inducted  **  by  the  Justices  and  Vestries."  But  the 
*  Vestries'  themselves,  in  despite  of  their  Churchljr 
title,  might  be  Dissenters,  if  the  freeholders  so  willed,, 
and  sometimes  were  so.  From  whence  there  sprung 
up  contentions  and  two  Vestries — the  one  a  Civil 
Vestry,  as  it  was  called,  and  the  other  Ecclesiastical. 

The  act  of  1693  was  a  disappointment  to  Gov. 
Fletcher.  Finding  that  he  could  obtain  no  concession 
from  the  Assembly  in  favor  of  the  Church  of  Eng-^ 
land,  he  determined  to  send  fit  persons,  as  soon  as  he 
could  find  them — even  if  they  were  but  laymen — ta 
hold  Church  servicesin  places  contiguous  to  NewYork^ 

*  Doc.  Hist.  §  3,  p.  76  :   "  Hempstead  Parish  of  2  towns,  Hemp^ 
stead  and  Oyster  Bay." 

f  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  vol.  3,  p.  151.. 


14  St  Georges  Church, 

to  which  the  act  for  the  support  of  a  Ministry  ap« 
plied ;  and  where  there  were  EngHshmen  who  de» 
sired  her  offices. 

"There  is  a  mighty  cry  and  desire,"  said  Rev. 
G.  Keith,  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Bray,  Feb.  24, 
170I — "almost  in  all  places  where  we  have  travelled, 
to  have  Ministers  of  the  Church  of  England  sent  to 
them.""^  He  soon  received  aid  in  furtherance  of  his 
purpose  from  an  unexpected  quarter. 

The  Puritans  of  Massachusetts,  under  the  lead  of 
Increase  Mather,  assiduously  sought  to  propagate  their 
ecclesiastical  system — that  of  Independents  or  Con- 
gregationalists — and  to  overthrow  other  systems. 
The  Episcopal  Church  came  in  for  a  very  large  share 
of  their  opposition. 

On  leaving  England  for  America,  a  company  of 
emigrants  had  sent  forth  an  address  from  on  board 
the  Arbella,  dated  April  7,  1630,  in  which  they  said 
— "We  esteem  it  an  honor  to  call  The  Church  of 
England,  from  whence  we  rise,  '  Our  Dear  Mother  ;'t 
and  much  more  of  the  same  sort.  But  after  they 
were  settled  in  New  England  this  affectionate  regard 
for  the  Church  disappeared  and  they  turned  to  be  her 
enemy.  They  very  actively  opposed  her.  Besides 
seeking  to  prevent  her  obtaining  a  foothold  in  Mas- 
sachusetts, they  attempted  to  weaken  her  in  those 
Colonies  where  she  was  already  effectively  at  work. 
They  made  such  an  attempt  in  Virginia  at  an  early 
day. 


*Prot.  Epis.  Hist.  Collec.  v.  I.,  p.  xxiii. 
t  Hutchinson,  Hist.  Mass.,  vol.  I.  Appendix. 


Governor  Fletcher.  15 

•*  In  1642,  in  answer  to  requests  from  sundry  well- 
disposed  people  ip  Virginia  to  the  ministers  of  the 
Province  of  Massachusetts,  three  ministers  were 
agreed  upon,  viz.,  Mr.  Phillips  of  Watertown,  Mr. 
Thompson  of  Braintree,  and  Mr.  Miller  of  Rowley ; 
which  the  General  Court  approved  of,  and  ordered 
that  the  Governer  shoukl  command  [commend  ?] 
themtby  his  letters  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of 
Virginia.  On  their  return  it  appears  that  God  had 
greatly  blessed  their  ministry  for  the  time  they  were 
there^ — which  was  not  long,  for  the  rulers  of  the 
country  did  in  a  sense  drive  them  out,  having  made 
an  order  that  all  such  as  would  not  conform  to  the 
discipline  of  the  English  Church  should  depart  out 
of  the  country.""^ 

Failing  in  this  direction,  the  Puritan  clerical  circle, 
after  a  time,  directed  their  attention,  it  is  thought, 
to  New  York  Province,  with  the  benevolent  purpose 
of  suppressing  the  evident  tendency  to  *  prelacy  '  which 
was  incited  by  Gov.  Fletcher's  countenance  and 
efforts. 

In  1695,  a  young  man  named  Vesey,  "without 
orders,"  say5  Miller — /.  c.y  not  ordained — a  layman — 
*'■  was  officiating  in  Hempstead,"  ("  a  Description  of 
ye  Province  and  City  of  N.  Y.,  A.  D.  1695,  by  ye 
Rev.  John  Miller,"  London,  1696).  We  do  not  con- 
trovert the  suggestion  that  Mr.  Vesey  was  sent  here 
by  the  Massachusetts  Puritans ;  but  we  have  founa 
no  evidence  that  he  was  acting  as  their  agent,  or 
even  agreed  Avith  their  religious  views.  Nothing  is 
linown  of  the  nature  or  form  ot  the  services  he  held 
liere.     On  tlie  strength  of  a  casual  mention  of  Mr. 


*  Hist,  of  Old  Braintree,  &c.,  W.  S.  Pattee,  M.D.,  p.  246. 


1 6  S^.   Georges  Church. 

Vesey  in  a  letter  to  the  Bishop  of  London,  from 
anonymous  friends  of  Gov.  Hunter,  as  **  a  dissenting 
preacher  on  Long  Island,""  it  has  been  concluded 
that  he  officiated  as  such  at  Hempstead.  We  re- 
frain, under  our  present  lack  of  definite  information, 
from  claiming  that  Mr.  Vesey  acted  here  in  behalf 
of  the  Church  of  England,  and  that  he  was  ttfc  first 
one  to  use  her  services  here.  But  we  have  abundant 
reason  for  claiming  that  it  was  greatly  owing  to  him 
that  St.  George's  Parish  came  into  existence.  He, 
at  least,  prepared  the  ground  for  her  foundations  to 
■be  laid.  For  to  the  knowledge  he  gained  while 
here  of  the  people  and  the  spiritual  needs  of  the 
place,  wc  attribute  those  active  efforts  he  soon  after- 
Avards  made  as  an  avowed  Churchman  to  establish 
the  Church  here,  and  that  affectionate  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  the  parish  which  he  manifested  for  nigh 
fifty  years.  If  Mr.  Vesey  did  officiate  here  for  a  few 
months  as  a  representative  of  the  Independents  or 
Congregationalists  of  New  England,  he  was  acting 
•contrary  to  the  traditions  of  his  birth  and  the  princi- 
ples of  his  whole  after  life.  It  is  possible  that,  from 
youthful  inconsiderateness,  he  may  have  discarded 
the  l:>elief  in  which  he  was  reared.  But  if  he  lapsed, 
the  lapse  must  have  been  for  but  a  brief  period.  For 
when  Mr.  Vesey  officiated  in  Hempstead,  he  was  but 
twenty- one  years  old,  having  been  born  in  Braintree, 
Mass.,.  in  1674.  In  1693  he  graduated  at  Harvard 
College,  and  in  less  than  two  years  thereafter  he  was 


*  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  Vol.  iii.  p.  438. 


Rev.   Wth.  Vesey.  ij 

what  would  now  be  called  a  candidate  for  holy  orders 
in  the  Episcopal  Church. 

Mr.  Vesey's  father  was  a  Churchman  of  the 
staunchest  kind.  He  evidently  had  very  little  respect 
for  the  sentiments  of  the  "  Standing  Order"  which 
ruled  in  Massachusetts  with  a  heavy  ecclesiastical  hand, 
and  he  did  not  disguise  his  sentiments  as  an  adherent 
to  the  Church  of  England.  Two  extracts  from  Sam- 
uel Sewall's  Diary  make  this  manifest: 

^' JiLue  20,  1696. — Wm.  Vesey  is  bound  over  for 
plowing  on  the  day  of  Thanksgiving,"  p.  428.  Mr. 
Vesey  "  Claimed  to  be  of  the  Church  of  England  and 
objected  to  being  taxed  for  the  support  of  the  Con- 
gregational minister."^ — p.  1^6,  note. 

Such  was  the  stock  of  which  young  Vesey  came, 
and  here  is  the  explanation  of  the  fact  that  when  Mr. 
Vesey,  while  at  Hempstead,  received  a  call,  January 
26,  I694-5,  to  be  the  minister  of  Trinity  Church  New 
York,  he  did  not  accept  it ;  the  call  having  been  given 
by  tlie  civil  Vestry,  which  was  composed  of  Dissenters 
— persons  unfriendly  to  Gov.  Fletcher's  designs  for 
the  Church.  But  the  very  next  year,  January  14, 
1695-6,  when  the  call  was  renewed,  the  composition 
of  the  Vestry  having  been  meanwhile  changed,  and 
Churchmen  then  being  in  the  ascendant  and  making 
the  call,  he  expressed  his  willingness  to  accept  the  po- 
sition, when  he  should  have  been  duly  ordained.  It  has 
been  more  than  once  uncharitably  suggested  that  Mr. 
Vesey  was  won  over  from  Independency  through 
promises  of  favor  from  Gov.  Fletcher.  Such  a  sugges- 
tion ought  not  to  be  made  without  some  shadow  of 
evidence  that  there  was  such  a  barter,  partaking  of 


i8  S^.   Georges  Church. 

the  sin  of  simony.  Such  evidence  does  not  exist. 
While,  on  the  other  hand,  the  facts  of  Mr.  Vesey's 
birth  and  education  supply  a  rational  and  sufficient 
motive  for  his  adhesion  to  the  Episcopal  Church  and 
his  change  from  Independency,  if  he  had  unwittingly 
and  for  a  brief  time  taken  to  its  ways. 

As  bearing  upon  Mr.  Vesey's  views  at  this  time, 
the  following  quotation  will  be  found  to  have  an 
important  bearing: 

In  an  answer  of  the  Church  of  England  in  Brain- 
tree,  to  a  charge  laid  against  them,  bearing  date  1 709, 
we  read,  "  Mr.  Vesey,  minister  of  the  Church  of  New 
York,  when  he  was  a  youth,  can  say  that  he,  with  his 
parents  and  many  more,  were  communicants  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  that  in  their  family  at  Brain- 
tree,  divine  service  was  daily  read,  which  things  to 
mention  would  argue  great  pride  and  vanity  were  it 
not  in  our  own  defence." 

From  which  it  appears  that  as  early  as  1689  a  little 
•company  of  Church  people  held  services  here. 

"An  address  to  the  Bp.  of  London,  dated  April 
22,  1704,  'from  Braintree,'  is  signed  by  WiUiam 
Vesey  and  John  Cleverly,  Church  Wardens,  &c.; — 
thus  showing  there  was  an  organized  parish  here 
(Braintree)  at  that  early  day.'"^ 

We  make  one  further  quotation  from  this  work  (p. 
430  and  note) :  *'  He  (Vesey)  was  one  of  the  first 
•of  the  young  men  referred  to  by  President  Mather  at 
the  ordination  of  Mr.  Wadsworth,  of  the  First 
'Church — *  who  had  apostatized  from  New  England 

*Hist.  of  Old  Braintree,  &c.,  W.  S.  Pattee,  M.  D.,  p.  247. 


Rev,    Wm.  Vesey,  19' 

principles,   contrary   to   the    Light   of  their   educa- 
tion.' "^ 

This  shows  what  influences  had  been  exerted  at 
Harvard  College  on  young  Vesey  to  seduce  him. 
from  the  Church  principles  in  which  he  had  been 
reared ;  and  it  shows  also  that  Vesey,  in  returning  to 
those  principles,  had  disappointed  the  hopes,  and,, 
perhaps,  disconcerted  the  plans  of  the  governing 
ministers  of  the  Independents  or  Congregationalists. 
of  Massachusetts. 

From  this  statement  of  Mr.  Vesey's  ecclesiastical 
position  prior  to  and  while  he  was  at  Hempstea'd — 
a  point  on  which  some  obscurity  has  hitherto  rested 
— we  resume  the  narrative  of  his  acts  when  he  ceased 
to  be  an  alien  to  his  father's  faith  and  complied  with, 
the  admonition — "  Hear  the  instruction  of  thy  father,, 
and  forsake  not  the  law  of  thy  mother."     Prov.  i  :  8. 

After  he  had  given  a  favorable  response  to  the 
call  of  the  Churchmen  composing  the  Vestry  of 
Trinity  Church,  he  prepared  himself  to  go  abroad 
for  ordination.  With  this  purpose  he  returned  to 
Boston  and  put  himself  under  the  spiritual  guidance 
and  instruction  in  theology  of  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Myles,  the  Rector  of  King's  Chapel.  We  hear  this 
of  him  while  he  was  there: 

''July  26,  1696. — Mr.  Vesey  preached  on  Sundajr 
in  the  Church  of  England  and  had  many  auditors. 
He  was  spoken  to  to  preach  for  Mr.  Willard;  but  am 
told  this  will  procure  him  a  discharge."! 

•  Hist,  of  Old  Braintree,  &c.,  W.  S.  PaUee,  M.  D.,  p.  247.. 
\  Sewell's  Diary,  p.  430. 


20  St   Georges  Church, 

The  editor  of  the  Diary  rightly  interprets  the  last 
sentence,  "■  While  by  so  doing  he  might  peril  his 
Episcopal  standing." 

We  learn  from  this  contemporary  with  Mr.  Vesey 
that  he  officiated  as  a  lay-reader  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Myles,  in  the  Episcopal  Churchy 
as  an  avov/ed  Episcopalian,  and  declined  to  preach 
for  the  Congregationalists  or  Independents,  lest  his 
position  might  be  mistaken. 

A  few  months  after  the  incident  mentioned  by 
Sewell,  Mr.  Vesey  returned  to  New  York,  bearing 
with,  him  testimonials  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Myles  of 
King's  Chapel — with  whom  Mr.  Vesey  had  studied 
theology — and  from  the  wardens  of  the  church,, 
which  were  laid  before  the  Vestry  of  Trinity  Church. 
Whereupon  the  following  action  was  had  by  that 
Vestry : 

^^  Nov,  2,  1696. — At  a  meeting  of  the  Church- 
wardens and  Vestry  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York : 
Wee,  ye  Church-wardens  and  Vestrymen  elected  by 
Virtue  of  ye  Said  Act,  having  read  a  Certificate  under 
the  hands  of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Samuel  Myles,  Min- 
ister of  the  Church  of  England  in  Boston  in  New 
England,  and  Mr.  Gyles  Dyer  and  Mr.  Benjamin 
Mountford,  Church- wardens  of  ye  Said  Church,  of 
the  Learning  and  Education,  of  the  pious,  sober  and 
ReHgeous  behaviour  and  Conversation  of  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Vesey  and  of  his  often  being  a  Communicant  in 
the  Receiving  ye  most  holy  Sacrament  in  the  said 
Church,  have  called  the  said  Mr.  William  Vesey  to 
officiate,  and  to  have  the  care  of  souls  in  this  City  of 
New  York.  And  ye  said  Mr.  William  Vesey  being 
sent  for,  and  acquainted  with  the  proceeding  of  this 
board,   did  return   them  his  thanks  for  their  great 


Rev.   Wm.    Vesey,  2X 

favor,  and  affection  showed  him,  and  did  assure 
them  that  he  readily  accepted  of  their  call  and  would 
with  all  convenient  expedition  repair  to  England 
and  apply  himself  to  the  Bishop  of  London  in  order 
to  be  ordained  according  to  the  Liturgy  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  would  return  to  his  Church 
liere  by  the  first  convenient  opportunity." 

Assisted  by  the  Vestry  with  funds  to  the  amount 
of  fyo,  Mr.  Vesey  sailed  for  England  in  the  Spring 
of  1697.  Ji-^ly  S  of  that  year  he  received  the  degree 
•of  M.  A.  at  Oxford.  August  2,  he  was  ordained — 
both  Deacon  and  Priest  it  is  thought — by  the  Rt. 
Rev.  Dr.  Henry  Compton,  Bishop  of  London. 

He  returned  promptly  to  New  YoH:,  and  on  De- 
cember 24,  Gov.  Fletcher  issued  the  order  for  his 
induction  into  Trinity  Church,  which  act  was  per- 
formed the  next  day — Christmas — being  Saturday. 
In  this  Rectorship — the  first  in  Trinity.  Church's 
iionored  line — Mr.  Vesey  continued  foi  5 1  years, 
•even  until  his  death,  in  July,  1746.  His.  whole 
career  fulfilled  the  bright  promise  of  his  youth.  Mr. 
Vesey  had  as  his  Assistant,  in  171 5,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Jenney,  who  in  1722  was  transferred'  to  Rye,  West- 
chester Co.,  and  thence,  in  1728,  to  Hempstead. 
Mr.  Vesey's  widow  married  Judge-  Daniel  Hors- 
tnanden.'*^ 

The  next  person  of  whom  we  have  any  record 
whose  ministrations  prepared  the  way  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Hempstead, 
was  the  Reverend  George  Keith,  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed by  the  Venerable  Society  with  the  approba- 

*  H.  Onderdonk,  Jr.  Esq. 


22  S^.  Georges  Church, 

tion  of  the  Bishop  of  London,  to  make  a  tour  of 
•observation  through  the  colonies  and  ascertain  where 
the  services  of  the  Church  could  be  usefully  intro- 
duced. In  his  Journals  of  Travel  we  find  these 
entries  of  his  visits  to  Hempstead  : 

*'  September  27,  1702,  Sunday. — I  preached  at 
Hampstead  on  Long  Island,  in  the  afternoon,  where 
was  such  a  multitude  of  people,  that  the  Church 
could  not  hold  them,  so  that  many  stood  without  at 
the  Doors  and  Windows  to  hear ;  who  were  generally 
well  affected,  and  greatly  desired  that  a  Church  of 
England  Minister  should  be  settled  among  them ; 
which  has  been  done,  for  the  Reverend  Mr.  John 
Thomas,  is  now  their  Minister.  My  text  was,  Luke 
10:  42."— p.  30. 

"  November  26,  Thursday. — I  preached  at  Hamp- 
:stead  on  Long  Island,  on  Acts  26  :  18." 

"  November  29,  1702. — I  preached  again  at  Hamp- 
stead, on  Heb.  8  :   10." 

''^November  21,  [1703],  Sunday. — I  preached  at 
Hampstead  Church  on  Long  Island,  on  i  Peter  2  :  9, 
and  Lodged  that  Night  at  Isaac  Smith's  House,  four 
Miles  distant  from  the  Church,  and  there  I  Baptised 
a  Young  Woman  of  his  Family,  and  a  Boy  and  a 
Girl  of  his  relations,  and  a  Neighbour's  Child,  a  Boy. 
This  Isaac  Smith  had  been  formerly  a  Quaker,  and 
was  Scarce  then  fully  come  off,  but  came  and  heard 
me  Preach,  and  was  well  affected,  and  did  kindly 
■entertain  me." — p.  45. 

Mr.  Keith  had  been  a  Quaker,  and  a  man  of  re- 
nown among  them.  After  his  conversion  and 
-ordination  he  used  his  rare  gifts  most  effectively  to 
advance  the  cause  of  Christ's  holy  Church ;  and  there 
■was  great    curiosity  felt  to  see    him    and    hear  him 


Rev,   Geo.  Keith.  23 

"  preach  the  faith  which  once  he  destroyed."*  He  was 
pecuHarly  effective  among  the  Quakers,  who  greatly 
dreaded  his  addresses,  and  often  violently. interrupted 
them.  It  is  to  be  recollected  that  the  Quakerism  of 
that  day,  and  particularly  in  this  region,  was  by  no 
means  of  a  quiet  and  inoffensive  form  ;  but  was  of  an 
obtrusive  and  often  abusive  and  very  trenchant  char- 
acter. It  openly  assaulted  those  whose  views  and 
ceremonies  it  disliked.  It  ceaselessly  fretted  about  a 
*  hireling  ministry ; '  denounced  liturgical  services  and 
the  sacraments  as  '  carnal  ordinances,'  and  denomin^ 
ated  responsive-worship,  in  peculiarly  elegant  language^, 
as  *  geese-gabbling.'  The  members  of '  the  Society 
thought  themselves  bound  to  bear  their  '  testimony,* 
as  they  termed  it,  against  their  neighbors'  religious 
views,  and  they  did  this  sometimes  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  interrupt  their  worship  and  dissolve  the  congre- 
gation. Their  contentiousness  and  annoyance  are 
frequently  mentioned  by  the  ministers  of  this  parish, 
for  the  first  fifty  years  of  its  existence. 

The  efforts  of  Vesey  and  Keith  fostered  the  desire 
which  a  small  number  of  persons  in  the  town  had 
already  felt  to  liave  the  Church  services  permanently 
estabhshed  here ;  and  both  of  them  exerted  their 
influence  to  have  this  wish  gratified.  What  Mr. 
Vesey  had  done  when  he  was  in  England  to  be  or- 
dained, may  be  inferred  from  the  evident  gratification 

with  which  he  wrote,  June  9,  1702  : 

• 

"  I  have  received  letters  from  my  good  Lord  Bp. 
of  London.  His  worship  does  now  assure  us  six  good 
men  shall  be  sent  to  supply  the  vacant  livings  in  our 

•  Gal.  I  :  23. 


24  '5'^-   Georges  Church. 

Province  and  also  that  communion  plate,  furniture  and 
books  shall  in  a  short  time  be  obtained  for  us." 

We  are  presently  to  see  that  this  promise  was  kept» 
And   the  Rev.   Mr.    Keith    directly   besought  the 

Venerable  Society  to  send  a  missionary  to  Hempstead. 

A  few  months  after  he  had  officiated  here,  he  thus 

wrote  the  Secretary  of  the  Society  : 

'^  Philadelphia]  Apr.  3,  1703. — The  main  thing  of 
importance  I  have  at  present  to  write  to  you  is  to  tell 
you  of  the  extreme  desire  that  people  have  in  several 
parts  where  I  have  travelled  to  have  the  Church  of 
England  ministers  sent  to  them,  particularly  in  East 
Jersey,  at  Amboy  ;  at  Burlington  in  West  Jersey  ;  also' 
at  Oyster  Bay  in  Long   Island,  and    at    Hempstead."" 

Dr.  Humphreys,  in  his  History  of  the  Venerable 
Society,  says :  "  Earnest  memorials  were  sent  from 
the  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle,  from  those  of 
Jamaica  and  Hempstead  towns  of  Long  Island." 

In  Nov.  1702,  according  to  Keith,  a  meeting  of  the 
clergy — seven  in  number — was  held  in  New  York,  at 
which  an  account  of  the  state  of  the  Church  in  Penn- 
sylvania, New  Jersey  and  New  York  Province  was 
drawn  up  and  a  copy  sent  to  the  Venerable  Society.* 

Besides  these  representations  of  the  desire  of  people 
in  Hernpstead  to  have  the  services  of  the  Church  of 
England,  like  memorials  were  forwarded  by  Gov- 
ernors Dudley,  Morris  and  Heathcote.f 

In  answer  to  these  petitions  the  Venerable  Societ>r 
selected  Hempstead  as  one  of  the  stations  to  be  im- 
mediately occupied.     Before  this  decision  was  known 

•  Keith's  Journal,  p.  33,  Vol.  I,  Prot.  Ep.  His.  Colls. 

+  Anderson's  Church  of  England  in  the  Colonies,  Vol.  iii.  p.  221. 


Rev.   John    Thomas,  25 

on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bartow  of 
Westchester  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Society. 

'' May  2\,  1704. — The  town  of  Hempstead  upon 
Long  Island  have  long  expected  a  missionary  from 
the  Society.     I  hope  they  will  soon   be  answered."  "^ 

And  Mr.  Vesey,  in  renewedly  urging  the  attention 
of  the  Society  to  the  spiritual  needs  of  Hempstead, 
writes  in  October  of  the  same  year—"  In  Hempstead 
there  is  a  Church,  a  house  and  lands  for  the  minister ; 
the  people  are  generally  well  affected  to  the  Church 
of  England  and  long  for  the  arrival  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Thomas. "t 

Mr.  Vesey  was  thus  aware  of  the  fact  that  the  So- 
ciety had  already  fixed  upon  the  Rev.  John  Thomas 
as  a  fit  person  to  be  entrusted  with  this  station.  Mr. 
Thomas,  thus  designated  to  the  honorable  position  of 
laying  the  foundation  of  the  Parish  and  to  be  its  first 
Rector,  was  at  the  time  of  his  appointment,  residing 
in  Philadelphia,  acting  as  Assistant  to  the  Rev.  Evan 
Evans,  in  Christ  Church,  and  the  head  of  its  Parish 
School.  He  was  still  a  Deacon,  having  been  ordain- 
ed in  1700  by  the  Bishop  of  London.  On  receiving 
his  appointment  to  Hempstead,  he  left  Philadelphia  in 
April,  1 704,  to  be  ordained  presbyter  by  the  Bishop  of 
London,  bearing  with  him  letters  of  commendation  to 
the  Bishop  of  London  from  Lord  Cornbury  and  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  Evans  and   Keith,:}:  as  follows : 

''Burlington,  23  August,  1703. 
"  My  Lord  : — I  trouble  your  Lordship  with  these 

•  MSS.  N.  Y.  His.  p.  29,  and  Bolton,  p.  32. 

+  Doc.  His.  N.  Y.,  Vol.  iii.  p.  1 15.         \  Penn.  Hist.  Coll.  p.  17. 


26  vS/.   George's  Church, 

lines  in  behalf  of  the  bearer,  Mr.  Thomas,  who  is  a  vepjr 
sober,  ingenious  Gentleman.  He  has  served  in  the 
Church  at  Philadelphia  as  Lecturer  upwards  of  three 
years.  The  minister  of  that  church  (one  Mr.  Evans),, 
who  is  a  very  sober,  pious  man,  gives  Mr.  Thomas  an 
excellent  character,  and  so  do  all  the  Gentlemen  of 
that  Church,  where,  through  the  blessing  of  God  upon, 
those  two  Gentlemen's  endeavors,  there  is  now  a  con- 
gregation of  near  500  persons.  Mr.  Thomas  has  like- 
wise set  up  a  school  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  has 
taught  with  very  good  success.  The  occasion  of  his- 
going  to  England  now  is  in  order  to  be  admitted  into- 
Priests'  orders.  I  hope  your  Lordship  will  grant  him. 
his  request,  and  that  you  would  send  him  to  be  min- 
ister either  of  Jamaica  or  Hempstead,  in  Long  Island,, 
is  the  request  of, 

"  My  Lord, 
"  Your  Lordship's  most  humble  serv't, 

''  CORNBURY." 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Evans,  for  himself  and  Vestry,  wrote  :: 

''Philadelphia,  Aug.  31st,  1703. 
"  May  it  Please  your  Lordship :  *'  Mr.  John 
Thomas,  the  bearer,  returning  to  your  Lordship  for 
Priest's  orders,  we  think  ourselves  in  Justice  obliged 
to  certifie  your  Lordship  that  for  the  time  he  remained 
among  us  (which  was  about  3  yrs.),  he  demeaned 
himself  very  soberly  and  unblameably,  and  gave  the 
enemies  of  the  Church  not  the  least  occasion  of  cen- 
suring his  actions,  but  by  his  discreet  and  prudent  be- 
haviour carried  himself  inoffensively  towards  all  peo- 
ple, and  by  using  more  than  ordinary  industry  has  been 
instrumental  of  doing  very  good  service  to  the  Church 
of  God  in  this  Province,  particularly  in  this  Church 
of  Philadelphia,  and  Trinity  Church,  nine  miles  distant: 
from  this  city.  As  also  his  sedulity  and  good  man- 
agement of  the  school,  which  he  has  performed  to  the 


Rev.  John    Thomas.  27 

satisfaction     of    all     concerned,    both    children    and 
Parents. 

'*  And  now,  my  Lord,  considering  the  good  service 
he  has  performed  in  this  Infant  church,  and  his  sober 
•deportment,  suitable  to  the  sacred  character  he  bore, 
we  humbly  recommened  him  to  your  Lordship's  im- 
mediate Favour  and  Patronage,  not  doubting  but 
your  Lordship,  out  of'your  usual  candor  and  benig- 
nity, will  look  upon  him  with  a  favourable  aspect  ; 
which,  with  our  hearty  Prayers  for  your  Lordship's 
Temporal  and  Eternal  happiness,  is  all  from 
**My  Lord,  Your  Lordship's 

'*  Most  dutiful  sons  and  Servt's, 

''  Evan  Evans, 
"  Rector  of  Philadelphia,  et  al.'* 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Keith's  attestation  was  : 

"■  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  2  April,  1703. 

*'  My  Lord  :  The  present  occasion  of  my  writing 
these  few  lines. to  your  Lordship  is  to  recommend  to 
your  favour  Mr.  John  Thomas,  the  assistant  to  Mr. 
Evans  here  in  the  ministry,  and  schoolmaster  in  the 
town  of  Philadelphia.  He  received  the  ordination  of 
a  Deacon  from  your  Lordship  a  little  before  he  came 
into  this  country,  and  has  been  here  above  two  years. 
About  a  year  hereafter  he  informs  me  he  intends  to 
come  for  London  to  receive  from  your  Lordship  the 
ordination  of  a  Presbyter,  that  he  may  be  further 
serviceable  to  ye  Church  of  Christ  either  here  or  else- 
where, as  divine  Providence  shall  order  him. 

**  1  certifie  to  your  Lordship  that  he  is  a  person  of 
very  good  repute  among  all  and  a  very  good  charac- 
ter amDUg  the  people  hero,  both  from  those  of  the 
Church,  and  also  from  others  for  his  good  behaviour 
and  his  great  diligence  in  attending  the  school,  and  his 
extraordinary  pains  in  preaching  in  sundry  country 
places  who  (.s7V)  have  no  settled  minister  among  them, 


28  S^.   Georges  Church, 

which  as  also  the  Hke  extraordinary  pains  of  Mr. 
Evans  in  his  preaching  in  country  places,  have  had 
very  good  effect. 

"  My  worthy  Lord,  I  remain 

''  Your  most  humble  servant, 

''  Geo.  Keith." 

The  application  of  Mr.  Thomas,  thus  seconded,  was 
successful,  and  he  returned  to  this  country  in  October, 
1704,  and  in  the  following  December  he  came  to 
Hempstead,  bearing  the  following  mandate  for  his 
induction : 

"Edward,  the  most  noble  Viscount  Cornbury,  Cap- 
tain General,   Governor  of  New  York  in  America, 
Vice- Admiral  of  the  same,  Sec,  &c. 
**  To  ALL  and  singular  the  Rectors,  Vicars,  Chap- 
lains,  Curates,    Clergymen  and  ministers  whatsoevei 
and  throughout  the  Province  aforesaid  wherever  estab- 
lished, and  also  to  the  present  Church-Wardens  of 
the  parochial  Church  of  Hempstead,  Greeting  : — 

"  Whereas  I  -commit  to  you  jointly  and  severally 
our  beloved  in  Christ,  John  Thomas,  Clergyman, 
presented  to  the  rectory  or  parochial  Church  of 
Hempstead,  (now  vacant)  to  be  instituted  as  rector 
of  the  same  rectory  or  parochial  Church,  in  and  of  the 
same  ;  and  firmly  enjoining  I  command  that  you  col- 
late and  induct,  or  cause  to  be  inducted,  the  same 
John  Thomas  Clergyman  (or  his  lawful  Proctor  in 
his  name  and  for  himself,)  into  the  real,  actual  and 
corporal  possession  of  the  rectorate  or  parochial 
Church  of  Hempstead,  of  the  glebes  and  all  its  rights 
and  appurtenances,  and  that  you  defend  him  so  in- 
ducted ;  and  what  you  shall  have  done  in  the  premises 
you  will  certify  me  or  some  other  duly  competent 
judge  in  this  behalf,  or  he  will  certify  whoever  of  you 


Rev.  Johii    Tho7nas.  29 

being  present  may  have  executed  this  mandate  (when 
thereunto  duly  required). 

"  Given  under  the  prerogative  seal  of  said  Prov- 
ince, the  26th  day  of  December,  Anno  Domini,  1704. 

•'  CORNBURY. 

"  Geo.  Clarke,  Sec'yr 

The  Return  (or  Certificate  of  Induction.) 

"We  whose  names  are  subscribed,  by  virtue  of  the 
above  instrument,  have  inducted  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas 
into  the  real,  actual  and  corporal  possession  of  the 
rectorship  or  Church  of  Hempstead,  this  27th  day  of 
December,  Anno  Domini,  1704. 
William  Vesey,  Thos.  Jones, 

William  Urquhart,      Thos.  Gildersleeve,. 

Church  Wardeiis. ' ' 

In  the  early  settlement  of  the  colonies  many  of  the 
clergymen  who  came  from  England  were  very  un- 
worthy persons,  who  retained  their  office  simply 
because  they  were  so  distant  from  the  sources  of 
ecclesiastical  discipline.  The  organization  in  170 1 
of  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  effected  a 
benificent  change  in  tliis  respect.  They  used  great 
care  in  selecting  pcTsons  as  their  missionaries,  and 
their  endorsement  was  a  passport  to  confidence  not 
readily  given  to  those  who  had  not  received  it.  It 
is  but  a  just  and  fitting  tribute  to  the  Venerable 
Society  to  say  that  all  the  missionaries  iLey  sent  to 
Hempstead — five  in  number — were  men  of  real  piety, 
and  faithful  in  discharging  the  responsible  duties  of 
their  sacred  office. 

Mr.     Thomas,    now    duly     settled,    found    ample 
field   for  the   exercise  of  all   the  excellencies   which 
had    been    attributed   to   him,   and   he   proved  him- 
2* 


3D  S^.  Georges  Church, 

self  worthy  of  all  the  encomiums  which  had 
been  passed  on  him.  He  soon  encountered  stur- 
dy opposition.  The  few  persons  in  the  town  wha 
were  favorable  to  the  Church  had  excited  pleasant 
anticipations  which  Mr.  Thomas'  experience  did  not 
sustain.  A  large  part  of  the  population  entertained 
strong  prejudices  against  the  Church,  which  were 
actively  exhibited  as  soon  as  a  positive  effort  was. 
made  to  establish  her  services  among  them.  Abun- 
dant testimony  of  an  unfriendly  temper,  and  of  the- 
admirable  spirit  in  which  Mr.  Thomas  met  and  com- 
bated it,  is  afforded  us  in  his  correspondence  with  the 
Venerable  Society  at  this  period  ;  the  following  ex- 
tracts from  which  will  be  found  interesting  and  in- 
structive : 

March  i,  1705. — Mr.  Thomas  thus  writes  to  the 
Venerable  Society:  ''  After  much  toil  and  fatigue,  L 
am  through  God's  assistance  safely  arrived,  and  have 
been  two  months  settled  at  Hempstead,  where  I  met 
with  civil  reception  from  the  people.  They  are  gen- 
erally Independents  or  Presbyterians,  and  have  hith- 
erto been  supplied,  ever  since  the  settlement  of  the 
town,  with  a  dissenting  ministry. 

'*  The  prejudice  and  bias  of  education  is  the  great- 
est difficulty  I  labor  under.  The  country  is  extreme- 
ly wedded  to  a  dissenting  ministry,  and  were  it  not 
for  His  Excellency  my  Lord  Cornbury's  most  favora- 
ble countenance  to  us,  we  might  expect  the  severest 
entertainm.ent  here  that  malice  and  the  rigor  of  preju- 
dice could  afflict  us  with.  All  we  of  the  clergy  need 
the  influence  of  His  Lordship's  most  favorable  aspect. 

''  Government  is  our  great  asylum  and  bulwark- 
which  My  Lord  exerts  to  the  utmost  when  the  ne- 
cessities and  interests  of  the  Church  call  for  it     His 


Rev,  John  Thomas,  31 

countenance,  next  to  the  Providence  of  Heaven,  i-? 
my  chiefest  safety.  I  have  scarce  a  man  in  the  par- 
ish truly  steady  and  real  to  the  interest  and  promotion 
of  the  Church,  any  farther  than  they  aim  at  the  favor 
or  dread  the  displeasure  of  His  Lordship.  His  Lord- 
ship's extraordinary  respect  to  the  clergy  has  set  them 
above  the  snarling  of  the  vulgar  and  secured  to  them 
respect  and  deference  from  the  best  of  the  people. 
The  people  of  Hempstead  are  better  disposed  to 
peace  and  civility  than  they  are  at  Jamaica.  This  is 
the  face  of  affairs  hei^  according  to  the  best  observa- 
tion I  could  make  in  the  short  time  I  have  lived 
here. 

"  The  gall  of  bitterness  of  this  Independent  kidney 
is  inconceivable — not  unlike  that  of  Demetrius  and 
his  associates  at  the  conceived  downfall  of  the  great 
Diana  of  the  Ephesians.  We  have  a  great  work  to 
go  through,  unruly  beasts  (with  Daniel)  to  encounter, 
but  we  trust  that  the  great  God  whose  cause  we 
stand  for  will  enable  us  to  go  on. 

*'The  fathers  of  these  people  came  from  New 
England,  and  I  need  not  tell  you  how  averse  they  of 
that  country  are  to  our  Church  discipline.  The 
people  here  being  generally  very  poor,  and  utterly 
averse  to  the  service  of  the  Church  of  England.  The 
inhabitants  transported  themselves  here  from  New 
England,  and  have  been  ever  since  their  first  settle- 
ment supplied  by  a  ministry  from  there. 

*'  I  have  neither  pulpit  nor  any  one  necessary  for 
the  administration  of  the  Holy  Eucharist,  and  only 
the  beat'  of  a  drum  to  call  the  people  together.  His 
Excellency  Lord  Cornbury  is  a  true  nursing  father 
to  our  infancy  here ;  his  countenance  and  protection 
is  never  wanting  to  us,  his  being  by  inclination  a 
true  son  of  the  Church  moves  him  zealously  to  sup- 
port that  wholly.  If  it  had  not  been  for  the  coun- 
tenance and  support  of  Lord  Cornbury  and  his  Govern- 


32  SL   Georges  Church, 

ment,  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  have  settled 
a  Church  on  the  Island." 

1705,  May  26. — "My  path  here  is  very  thorny; 
all  my  steps  are  narrowly  watched ;  I  am  obliged  to 
walk  very  singuly.  I  have  brought  some  few  of 
the  honestest,  best-inclined,  to  religion,  and  the 
soberest  to  the  holy  communion,  and  hope  in  time 
(if  God  enable  me)  to  have  a  plentiful  harvest  among 
them." 

1705,  Jinie  27. — "The  people  here  are  all  stiff 
Dissenters — not  above  three  Church  people  in  the 
whole  parish — all  of  them  of  the  rebellious  offspring; 
of  '42,  Brother  Urquhart,  of  Jamaica,  and  myself 
belong  to  one  county,  and  the  only  English  ministers 
on  the  Island.  We  are  the  first  that  brake  the  ice 
amongst  this  sturdy,  obstinate  people,  who  endeavor 
what  in  them  lies  to  crush  us  in  embryo ;  but,, 
blessed  be  God,  by  the  propitious  smiles  of  heaven 
and  the  particular  countenance  of  my  Lordship's 
Government,  we  keep  above  water,  and,  we  thank 
God,  have  added  to  our  churches." 

"  The  inhabitants  of  this  county  are  generally  Inde-^ 
pendents,  and  what  are  not  so  are  either  Quakers  or 
of  no  professed  religion  at  all.  The  generality  are 
averse  to  the  discipline  of  our  Hoty  Mother  the 
Church  of  England,  and  enraged  to  see  her  ministers 
established  among  them.  Their  prejudice  of  educa- 
tion is  our  misfortune,  our  Church  their  bugbear, 
and  to  remove  the  averseness  imbibed  with  their 
first  principles  must  be  next  to  a  miracle." 

"  I  am  very  pleasantly  situated  here,  upon  an  even,. 
delightsome  plain,  sixteen  miles  long,  richly  furnished 
with  beef,  mutton,  and  fowls  of  all  sorts  ;  the  air 
sharp  and  severe,  and  not  subject  to  those  fulsome- 
fogs  so  natural  to  the  English  climate.  The  place 
is  sweet  and  pleasant.     I  have  two  distinct  churches,. 


Rev,    jfohn    Thomas.  33 

fifteen  miles  asunder,  where  I  preach  by  turns,  but 
have  neither  Bible  nor  Common  Prayer  book  in  either, 
:so  I  am  necessitated  to  carry  small  ones  of  my  own 
about  with  me  for  to  read  Divine  service.  I  know  of 
no  place  upon  the  main  that  is  a  truer  and  more  real 
object  of  the  Honorable  Society's  charity  than  this  " 

1705,  November  9. — "  Our  parishes  here  are  widely 
extensive  (being  eighteen  miles  one  way  and  sixteen 
the  other)  and  the  people  much  scattered.  Besides, 
two  sermons  a  Sunday  make  my  private  visits  and 
familiar  conferences  with  them  at  their  own  dwelling's 
fewer  than  I  could  wish.  However,  I  embrace  all 
occasions  of  converse  with  them,  that  are  consistent 
with  my  studies." 

1709. — *' Though  Hempstead  had  been  settled 
above  sixty  years  before  my  coming,  and  the  people 
had  some  sort  of  Dissenting  ministers,  yet  for  above 
iifty-five  years  the  sacrament  had  never  been  admin- 
istered here.  The  oldest  here  could  not  remember 
to  have  seen  or  heard  of  its  being  celebrated.  I  have 
brought  thirty-three  to  full  communion  of  the  Church, 
though  at  the  first  time  of  administering  I  could  per- 
suade but  three  to  receive.  The  young  grow  up  in 
miserable  ignorance,  and  I  can't  catechise  for  want  of 
a  schoolmaster  to  teach  children  to  read." 

Mr.  Thomas,  by  his  prudent  and  zealous  efforts, 
was  successful  in  his  ministry  to  a  very  large  degree, 
when  the  hindrances  in  his  way  are  considered. 
This  will  become  apparent  from  the  following  extracts 
from  his  correspondence : 

"1705,  April  23. — The  Church  is  not  only  better 
attended  now  than  it  ever  was  before,  under  the  Dis- 
senters, according  to  their  confession,  but  I  have  ad- 
mitted to  the  communion  at  one  time  three,  at 
.another  four  of  the  most  rigid  of  the  Independents, 


34  '^^-   George  s  Church. 

while  twelve  have  just  received  the  holy  ordinance  of 
baptism,  among  whom  were  several  adults." 

lyoG,  April  7. — "I  have  by  God's  blessing  ad- 
vanced the  number  of  my  communicants  from  three 
to  twenty-one,  all  of  them  rigid  Dissenters,  influenced 
against  conformity  to  the  Church  by  the  strong  bias 
of  deep  prejudice,  inveterac}^,  and  a  contrary  educa- 
tion. I  have  the  prospect  of  a  plentiful  harvest  among 
them,  having  already  waded,  I  hope,  througli  the 
most  formidable  difficulties." 

**  I  want  Common  Prayer  books  and  some  small 
tracts  of  controversy  between  us  and  the  dissenters. 
*  Bonnet's  Abridgement,'  and  *  The  Faith  and  Prac- 
tice of  a  Church  of  England  Man,'  would  do  very 
great  service,  and  help  blunt  the  knees  of  their  bias 
and  prejudice.  The  people  are  highly  sensible  and 
gratcrully  accept  of  the  charity  of  the  Honorable 
Society.  The  £^  worth  of  books  which  you  gave  me 
in  trust  have  been  distributed  to  the  best  advantage." 

1 7 10,  January  16. — **  The  Vestry  pay  Job  Be- 
dell I  OS.  a  year  for  beating  the  drum  on  Sundays 
and  other  Church  days,  and  to  Daniel  Bedell  20s. 
for  sweeping  and  cleaning  the  church,  taking  care 
of  it,  and  opening  and  shutting  the  doors." 

1 7 10,  December  3. — "Nothing  \\^\n  or  very  memo- 
rable since  my  last.  All  is  well  in  my  parish  in  gen- 
eral, and  a  happy  continuance  of  mutual  accord  and 
aifection  between  me  and  my  parishioners." 

17 1 2. — Mr.  Thomas  says,  "The  children  of  Hemp- 
stead, for  want  of  letters  and  education,  are  as  wild, 
uncultivated  and  unimproved  as  the  soil  was  when  their 
forefathers  first  had  it,  and  requests  that  Mr.  Thomas 
Gildersleeve  be  appointed  catechist  and  schoolmaster. 
The  Society  grant  him  ;^I0  yearly  to  teach  the  poorer 
children  (with  several  others)  reading,  writing  and  to 


Rev.   Jo  Jul    Thomas.  35 

cast  accounts,  at  under  20s.  yearly  a  head  each.  The 
Society  also  send  paper  for  the  use  of  the  school.  The 
Vestry  write  to  the  Venerable  Society  that :  *  With- 
out your  bounty  our  children  would  have  no  educa- 
tion. Our  people  are  poor  and  settled  distantly  from 
one  another.'" 

171 5,  February  17. — ''  The  Church  is  in  a  tolerably 
thriving  condition  (how  powerfully  opposed  by  its 
adversaries,  dissenters  of  all  denominations  !)  chiefly 
through  the  prayer  books  sent  by  the  Venerable 
Society,  whose  charity  was  well  answered  in  that 
benefaction,  consisting  of  two  dozen  prayer  books, 
two  dozen  •  King's  Inventions  of  Man,'  two  dozen 
*Dean  of  St.  Asaph's  Faith  and  Practice  of  a 
Church  of  England  Man,'  and  one  'London  Cases 
Abridged.'  " 

1^2^^,  February  21. — '' Mr.  Thomas,  within  eigh- 
teen months,  has  baptized  at  least  one  hundred 
and  sixty,  many  of  whom  are  adults.  He  in- 
culcates in  the  people  a  sense  of  the  benefit  and 
privileges  of  the  sacraments,  and  finds  them  in  the 
main  convinced  of  the  wholesomeness  and  necessity 
of  these  ordinances." 

1723,  April  I. — Mr.  Thomas  writes  that  he  has 
baptized  ninety  children  and  adults,  thirty-seven 
whereof  at  one  time,  18  of  whom  were  adults,  upon 
which  occasion  (it  being  performed  in  a  distant  pri- 
vate house)  he  discoursed  at  large,  ex  tempore,  upon 
the  subject  and  great  necessity  of  the  sacrament  of 
baptism.  "  I  have  all  along  inculcated  into  the  people 
here  a  sense  of  the  benefit  and  privilege  of  the  sacra- 
ments, that  particulary  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  The 
word  *  damnation,'  so  rendered  in  our  English  transla- 
tion, is  a  mighty  bugbear  to  weak  scrupulous  con- 
sciences, which  by  public  preaching  and  private 
conferences  I  have  endeavored  to  explain. 


;^6  S^.   Georgds  Church. 

"  My  necessary  hospitality  has  all  along  in  a  very 
great  measure  amounted  to  the  height  of  my  salary^ 
both  here  and  at  home,  much  beyond  those  more 
cautious  limits  consistent  with  the  welfare  of  my 
family.  I  have  served  my  publie  view  by  it,  though 
to  the  detriment  of  my  private  self  Burthening  the 
purses  of  the  new  converts  to  the  Church  would  soon 
render  our  ministry  of  little  effect.  I  find  affability 
and  hospitality,  next  to  a  conscientious  discharge  of 
duty,  to  be  very  sinewy,  prevailing  arguments  to 
mollify  their  innate,  inveterate  principles.  It  pro- 
motes my  public  designs." 

There  is  no  record  of  Mr.  Thomas'  official  acts,  with 
a  partial  exception  to  be  noticed  presently.  The 
reason  for  this  deficiency  is  thus  deplored  and  ex- 
plained by  Mr.  Thomas  in  one  of  his  letters.  It  will 
be  a  ceaseless  source  of  regret  that  he  did  not  get  the 
book  for  a  register  which  he  hoped  to  have. 

1707,  April  22. — ''I  have  often  laid  before  my 
vestry  the  necessity  of  a  register  book  in  the  parish, 
but  to  no  purpose.  Having  no  method  of  raising  a 
fund  to  defray  that  and  such  like  public  exigencies, 
since  I  came  here,  I  have  converted  the  communion 
offerings  (the  poor  here  being  very  few  and  provided 
plentifully  for  by  a  public  tax  from  the  government) 
to  buy  some  requisite  necessaries  for  the  communion 
table,  &c.,  and  out  of  our  late  Easter  offerings  I  hope 
to  buy  a  register  book,  which  I  bespoke  already ; 
and  then  I  shall  take  particular  care  to  register  all 
christenings,  marriages  and  burials,  according  to  our 
instructions  from  the  Venerable  Society.  I  have 
baptized  some  scores  of  infants  and  adults  since  my 
arrival  here,  and  married  some  dozens  of  couples, 
but  would  never  receive  a  farthing  perquisites  for 
them  hitherto.     It  was  customary  here  for  the  jus- 


Rev.  John   Thomas.  37 

tices  to  solemnize  marriages,  who  are  very  tenacious, 
of  that  addition  to  their  offices,  and  in  order  to  brinp; 
marriages  to  the  church  I  have  solemnized  all  gratis  ; 
first,  in  order  to  reconcile  them  to  our  way,  and  then, 
to  take  off  that  grand  aspersion  so  often  in  their 
mouths  against  the  Church  of  England's  ministers, 
that  they  greedily  covet  the  fleece  and  neglect  the 
flock.  I  have  received  four  pieces  of  eight  [$4]  'for 
one  funeral  sermon,  the  person  dying  being  a  bach- 
elor and  ordered  it  to  me  in  his  will ;  and  1 2  shillings 
from  one  married  couple,  who  going  out  of  my  parish 
to  be  married  into  the  city,  Mr.  Vesey  reserved  one- 
half  of  his  perquisites  for  me ;  and  that  is  all  I  ac- 
cepted of  since  my  coming  to  this  parish.  The 
people  I  live  among  are  poor,  and  from  their  cradjes 
prejudiced  and  disaffected  to  our  constitution,  and 
should  I  have  screwed  them  up  to  perquisites  I 
should  assuredly  have  nipped  the  church  in  the  bud. 
I  have  been  strictly  brought  up  in  it,  and  shall  spare 
no  pains  tc  propagate  it.  I  allow  my  clerk  a  small 
salary  out  of  my  own  annually,  and  without  that  I 
could  have  none.  I  have  raised  a  school  in  the. 
town  since  my  coming,  and  allow  towards  it  (in  con- 
junction with  the  inhabitants)  ;^20  a  year.  We  are 
now  building  a  schoolhouse  and  settling  a  piece  of 
land  upon  it,  which  I  have  contributed  unto.  A 
good  precedent  of  that  nature,  I  presume,  is  the  most 
moving  rhetoric  I  can  use  to  persuade  those  whose 
intellectuals  are  so  mean  and  earthly  tliat  they  can- 
not discern  the  advantage  worth  and  excellency  of 
education  for  their  children's  present  and  future  wel- 
fare. In  vain  I  preach  to  them  the  superstructures 
of  Christianity  when  they  are  destitute  of  the  ground- 
works and  fundamentals  of  religion  by  education. 
I  have  bought  catechisms  to  give  away  among  the 
children,  and  hope  in  some  time  to  have  a  set  of 
catechumens.      While   the     Honorable    Society   are 


38  kS/.    Georges  Church. 

pleased  to  continue  to  us  their  allowance,  we  may 
live  upon  honorable  terms,  independent  of  our  people, 
and  not  subject  to  either  their  scorns  or  contempts. 
When  it  is  once  vvithdrawn,  we  must  expect  to  be 
assuredly  miserable  and  subject  to  their  insolencies." 

In  the  book  recording  the  proceedings  of  the 
justices  and  civil  vestry  acting  as  overseers  of  the 
poor,  there  is  the  beginning  of  a  parish  record.  But 
Mr.  Thomas  was  not  long  allowed  the  space  he  de- 
sired. The  record  of  Mr.  Thomas  is  prefaced  and 
authenticated  with  the  following  words,  written  in  a 
bold,  masculine  hand : 

^  '*  I,  John  Thomas,  E.  Coll,  Jesu  Oxon,  was  In- 
ducted Rector  of  Hamstead  on  Nassau  Island  in. 
the  Province  of  New  York,  the  27th  of  December  in. 
the  year  1704,  and  baptized  the  persons  and  children 
underwritten,  since  my  induction  in  1704,  to  this 
present  13  th  of  July,  1707.  The  distinct  time  of 
their  initiation  into  the  Church  by  Baptism,  I  can- 
not particularly  and  precisely  notice,  this  Register 
Book  being  lately  bought  and  delivered  into  my 
hands,  but  all  Christenings  hereafter,  shall,  (God  will- 
ing), be  duly  and  precisely  Registered." 

Then  follow  the  names  of  5  adults  and  17  infants 
or  children.  The  first  entry  is — "Asa  Gildersleeve, 
born  March  19,  1685,  was  baptized*in  the  year  1705, 
the  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Gildersleeve  of  Ham- 
stead."  Besides  these  entries  in  the  hand-writing  of 
Mr.  Thomas,  subsequent  entries  were  made  of  chil- 
dren, all  of'them  born  after  Mr.  Thomas'  death,  and 
entered  probably  by  a  ]\Ir.  Peters,  as  they  are  of  that 
name,  and  he  was  the  Clerk  or  Secretary  to  the 
Justices  and  Civil  Vestry.     There  are   no   marriages 


Rev,    Johfi    Thomas.  39 

recorded,  and  the  book  was  soon  appropriated  by  the 
Board  of  Justices  and  Vestry  for  their  proceedings, 
exckisively.  No  register  is  to  be  found  of  the  other 
baptisms  and  the  marriages  referred  to  by  Mr. 
Thomas  in  his  correspondence  with  the  Venerable 
Society.  The  only  other  paper  of  the  nature  of  a 
record  of  Mr.  Thomas'  proceedings,  of  which  I  am 
informed,  is  one  which  reads  thus : 

"  This  is  to  certify  whom  it  may  concern,  that 
Richard  Cornwell  and  Miriam  Mott,  both  of  Hemp- 
stead, were  thrice  published  for  Matrimony  in  the 
Parish  of  Hempstead,  pursuant  to  the  Law  in  that 
Case  provided. 

'•'  By  me,  JOHN  THOMAS." 

*^ Hempstead,  February  yc  ^th,  17 12. 

It  will  be  noticed,  that  though  Mr.  Thomas  com- 
monly wrote  the  name  of  the  Parish,  '  Hamstead,'  in 
this  paper  he  wrote  it  as  we  do  now,  '  Hempstead.' 

The  regular  register  of  the  parish  commences  June 
13,  1725,  in  a  book  which — as  an  inscription  in  it 
declares — "  was  given  to  the  parish  of  Hempstead 
by  Theodorus  Van  Wyck,  Esq.,  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
and  inhabitant  in  the  said  Parish."  The  book  con- 
tains only  baptisms  and  marriages.  Funerals  were 
not  recorded  until  75  years  after  this  register  was 
begun,  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Jenney,  and  were  first 
made  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Hobart. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas,  in  his  report  to  the  Ven- 
erable Society  in  1722,  speaks  of  his  having  had  pro- 
longed sickness,  and  intimates  that  he  accepts  it  as  an 
admonition  that  he  was  approaching  the  close  of  his 
ministry  and  life.      But  he  was  spared  to  report  the 


40  S^.  George's  Church. 

next  year — *  Since  my  last,  I  have  baptized  above  90 
•children  and  adult  persons,  IJ  whereof  were  baptized 
at  one  time,  18  of  whom  were  adults.'"^  Nothing 
•could  more  effectively  testify  to  '  labours  above 
measure'  and  'Zeal  for  God,'  than  such  a  record  as 
that ! 

Mr.  Thomas  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Society 
some  months  later,  as  follows: 

1724,  October  i. — 'Tray,  Good  Sir,  give  my  humble 
<iuty  to  the  Honorable  Society,  and  assure  them  of  my 
utmost  fidelity  in  my  mission  as  far  as  lame  limbs 
and  a  decrepid  state  of  health  will  permit.  My  heart 
is  warm  and  sound,  though  lodged,  God  knows,  in  a 
crazy,  broken  carcase.  Pray,  tell  them  that  like 
Epaminonclas  I  shall  fight  upon  the  stumps  for  that 
purest  and  best  of  Churches  as  long  as  God  indulges 
me  with  the  least  ability  to  do  it." 

After  this  the  name  of  the  Rev.  John  Thomas  dis- 
appears from  the  list  of  the  Society's  missionaries.  It  is 
thought  that  he  died  in  the  same  month  in  which  the 
above  dispatch  was  written.  It  is  evident,  judging  from 
his  works,  that  I\Ir.  Thomas  was  an  earnest  yet  pru- 
dent man,  and  a  zealous  and  faithful  minister  for 
Christ.  He  encountered  prejudice,  misrepresentation, 
and  malignity  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  his 
officiating  here ;  but  he  met  all  obstacles  with  a'ppar- 
cndy  a  cheerful  and  hopeful  spirit,  and  was  not  dis- 
mayed because  there  were  many  adversaries,  and 
God  rev/arded  his  persistent  endeavors  with  a  good 
measure   of  success.     It  is  no  little  encomium  which 

*  MSS.  Church  Docu.  N.  Y.,  p.  94. 


Rev.  John   Thomas,  41 

Wood  gives  him  when  he  says,'^  "  Mr.  Thomas  had  to 
encounter  the  difficult  task  of  uniting  a  mixed  and 
discordant  population  into  one  society,  and  of  reduc- 
ing them  to  order  and  regularity.  He  seems  to  have 
been  laborious  and  successful  in  his  efforts  to  melio- 
rate the  condition  of  the  town." 

Mr.  Thomas  actively  participated  with  the  other 
leading  clergy  of  the  Province  of  New  York  in  the 
measures  which  were  adopted  from  time  to  time  to 
advance  the  interests  of  the  Church.  His  name  is 
found  associated  with  theirs  in  several  documents 
issued  by  them. 

Mr.  Thomas'  will  was  made  March,  1724,  and 
proved  October  28,  1726.  He  gives  his  wife  Marga- 
ret the  management  of  his  farm  in  Harrison's  Pur- 
chase, Westchester  County.  He  leaves  a  son  Jolm 
[born  October  23,  1708,]  and  two  daughters,  Mar- 
garet and  Gloriana.  His  wife,  his  brother-in-law 
Edmund  Smith,  Captain  John  Tredwell  and  John 
Cornell  of  Rockaway,  are  the  executors.  The  wit- 
nesses are  Jeremiah  Bedell,  Elicis  DorHn  and  William 
Willis.     The  last  is  probably  the  writer  of  the  will. 

There  is  no  stone  in  St.  George's  churchyard  to 
mark  the  spot  where  the  sacred  dust  of  Mr.  Thomas 
reposes.  One  cannot  but  regret  tlie  apparent  neglect, 
of  the  generation  whom  he  had  served  so  faithfully 
for  twenty  years,  in  allowing  the  remains  of  their 
rector  and  friend  to  repose  in  an  unmarked  grave. 

Mrs.  Thomas  survived  her  revered  husband,  but 
there    is  no  record  concerning  her  death.     There  is 

*  Silas  Wood,  First  Settlement  of  L.  I.,  p.  60. 


42  6'/.   Georges  Church, 

this  pleasing   testimonial  in  the  proceedings  of  the 
Venerable  Society: 

1727,  February  16.-:-"  A  gratuity  of  ;^5o  is  voted 
by  the  Venerable   Society  to  the  widow  of  the  late 
Rev.  Mr.  Thomas,  missionary  at  Hempstead,  in  con- 
sideration of  his  long  and  faithful  services,  upwards  of 
twenty  years." 

It  is  a  duty  to  keep  in  grateful  remembrance  the 
name  of  the  Church's  pioneer  in  Hempstead ; — the 
man  to  whom  belongs  the  honored  title,  '*  The  father 
of  St.  George's  Parish." 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas'  son,  the  Hon.  John  Thomas,, 
was  the  first  Judge  of  Westchester  County,  and  a 
representative  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  York.  He  married  Abigail,  daughter 
of  John  Sands,  a  Quaker,  of  Cow  Neck,  L.  L,  died 
May  2,  1777,  and  was  buried  in  Trinity  churchyard,. 
New  York  city. 

The  Hon.  John  and  Mrs.  Abigail  Thomas  left  twa 
sons  and  a  daughter.  The  second  son  was  Major- 
General  Thomas  Thomas,  an  officer  in  the  Continen- 
tal army.  He  married  Catherine  Floyd,  of  Mastic,. 
Long  Island."^ 

For  two  years  after  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Thomas  the  parish  v/as  unsupplied  with  a  clergyman.. 

*  Bolton,  His.  West  Co  ,  Vol.  i.  p.  254. 


CHAPTER    II. 

1726 — 1742 

THE  vacancy  in  the  Rectorship  which  was  caused 
by  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas,  in  1724^ 
was  filled  in  1726  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Jenney,  A.  M., 
who  was  directed  by  the  Propagation  Society  to  re- 
move to  Hempstead  from  Rye,  Westchester  Co.^ 
where  for  four  years  he  had  officiated  as  a  missionary 
of  the  Society — having  succeeded  the  Rev.  Christo- 
pher Bridge,  who  died  at  Rye,  May  22,  17 19. 

■^  Mr.  Jenney  was  the  son  of  the  venerable  Henry 
Jenney,  of  Wanney-Town,  in  the  North  of  Ireland ; 
who  was  descended  from  the  Jenneys  of  Knoddis  or 
Knodding  Hall,  Suffolk  County,  England.  He  was- 
born  in  the  County  of  Armagh,  A.  D.  1688,  and 
educated  in  Dublin,  under  Dr.  Jones.  October  13^ 
1704,  he  was  matriculated  as  a  pensioner  at  Trinity 
College,  Dublin  ;  his  tutor  being  Mr.  John  Wetherby,. 
a  fellow  of  that  College.  In  17 10  he  was  admitted 
to  deacons'  orders — and  to  priests'  orders  the  same 
year.  He  was  soon  afterwards  appointed  to  a  Chap- 
laincy in  the  Royal  Navy,  in  which  service  he  con- 
tinued until  1 7 14.      Resigning  his  chaplaincy,  he  be- 

*  Bolion,  His.  Church  West.  Co.,  p.  2l8*. 


44  ^^-   George's  Church. 

came  a  missionary  of  the  Venerable  Society,  and 
was,  by  it,  appointed  assistant  to  the  Rev.  Evan 
Evans,  in  Christ  Church,  Philadelphia,  and  acted 
also  as  the  schoolmaster  in  that  Parish.  Mr.  Jenney 
was  thus  successor,  in  two  instances,  to  the  Rev. 
John  Thomas;  first  at  Philadelphia,  and  then  at 
Hempstead.  From  about  the  year  1717,  he  was, 
for  a  time,  chaplain  to  the  forts  and  royal  forces  in 
New  York  City,  and  assisted  the  Rev.  Mr.  Vesey  in 
Trinity  Church.  In  1722,  he  was  appointed  Mission- 
ary to  the  Parish  at  Rye,  where  he  very  effectively 
labored  until  transferred  to  Hempstead. 

It  may  be  well  before  we  proceed  to  relate  the 
events  of  Mr.  Jenney's  ministry  in  Hempstead,  that 
a  statement  should  be  made  respecting  the  Church- 
property  which  he  found  here,  and  the  sources  from 
which  it  had  been  derived. 

CHURCH    PROPERTY — ITS    SOURCES. 

We  have  seen  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Keith  mentions 
a  church  and  parsonage  as  being  here  awaiting  the 
coming  of  a  missionary.  The  church  he  thus  referred 
to  was  the  second  building  erected  in  Hempstead 
at  public  cost,  for  religious  and  also  secular  purposes. 

The  first  one  was  built  in  1648  ;  was  twenty-four 
feet  square,  and  Thompson  says  (p.  35),  was  placed 
near  the  present  Burley  Pond.  After  nearly  twenty- 
six  years  use,  this  gave  way,  in  1673,  to  another, 
bnilt  likewise  at  public  cost.  At  a  town  meeting, 
held  April,  1673,''-  a  committee  was  appointed  to  see 
to  the  construction  of  the  building,  to   be   thirty  feet 

*  Town  Records. 


Rev,  Robert   Jenney,  45 

long,  twenty-two  feet  wide  and  twelve  feet  studs, 
with  a  lean-to  on  each  side.  And  the  site  was 
changed  to  a  place  in  the  present  churchyard,  and  a 
very  little  west  of  the  present  St.  George's  Church. 
Mr.  Jenney,  in  1728,  stated  the  dimensions  of  the 
building  to  be  forty  feet  long  and  twenty-six  feet 
wide.  Probably  the  committee  saw  fit  to  depart 
from  the  specifications  named  in  the  vote. 

Both  of  the  buildings  thus  erected  by  the  civil 
authorities,  out  of  the  public  funds,  were  intended  to 
serve  the  double  purpose  of  affording  a  place  for 
the  business  meetings  of  the  town  on  week  days  and 
for  religious  services  on  Sundays,  and  they  were  so 
used.  Warrants  for  town  meetings  directed  the  free- 
holders to  assemble  at  the  Church.  By  tax,  provis- 
ion was  made  from  year  to  year,  for  a  person  to  take 
care  of  the  building.  It  was  in  this  second  building 
that  both  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  officiated,  and  Rev. 
Dr.  Jenney  also,  for  the  first  years  of  his  rectorship. 

The  house  for  the  minister  was  built  in  1682,  and 
occupied  the  same  site  with  the  present  Rectory. 
This  too,  like  the  church,  was  built  by  order  of  the 
freeholders  from  public  funds.  It  was  intended  to  be 
the  domicile  of  the  person  who  was  the  minister  for 
the  time  being,  and  its  use  accounted  as  a  part  of 
the  means  for  his  support,  which  the  law  directed 
them  to  provide.  The  following  is  the  entry  on  the 
Town  Records  concerning  this  buildin^g: 

"  At  a  town  meetiug  licld  May  6,  1682,  it  was  re- 
solved by  a  major  vote  of  the  town  to  build  a  house 
for  the  Rev.  Jeremy  Hubard,  and  when  he  sese  cause 
to  leve  it,  then  it  is  to  return  to  the  town  again." 


46  S^.   George  s  Church. 

It  was  further  "  ordered  that  this  building  be  placed 
on  the  town  lot  with  three  acres  of  ground,  where  it  is 
most  convenient." 

Thus  the  parsonage,  like  the  church  and  the  glebe, 
was  the  property  of  the  town  and  not  of  any  rehgious 
TDody,  and  the  minister  resident  was  a  tenant  of  the 
town,  which  did  not  surrender  its  title  to  the  property 
till  near  half  of  a  century  after  the  Episcopalians 
.entered  Hempstead.  The  parsonage  was  ^6  feet  long, 
1 8  feet  wide,  and  lO  feet  between  joints.  Not  a 
very  imposing  structure.  It  will  be  observed  that  the 
:site  has  been  used  for  a  minister's  residence  for  near 
200  years. 

Mr.  llubard — or  more  coircctly  Hobart — who  was 
.a  Presbyterian,  or  more  likely  an  Independent,  for  lack 
of  support  left  Hempstead  in  1696  and  removed  to 
Haddam,  Connecticut,  and  for  more  than  100  years 
;afterwards — says  Thompson,  p.  353 — *'  the  Presbyte- 
rian church  has  had  no  settled  clergyman."  When  the 
Rev.  IMr.  Thomas  came  here  there  was  no  minister 
•of  any  denomination  settled  here — both  the  church 
.and  parsonage  were  without  occupant,  and  the  house 
.and  glebe  had  reverted — as  per  stipulation — to  the 
•disposal  of  the  town.  It  was  given  to  the  occupancy 
of  Mr.  Thomas  in  1704,  as  it  had  been  to  Mr.  Hobart, 
.and  he  too  was  thus  but  a  tenant  at  will  of  the  town, 
.and  both  church  and  parsonage,  and  probably  a  glebe 
of  more  than  lOO  acres  near  the  South  Bay,  which  in 
1682  had  been  voted  by  the  town  to  the  use  of  Mr. 
Hobart,"^  were  held  by  this  tenure  until  1735 — when 


See  Wood,  p.  15. 


Rev.    Robert    Jenney.  47 

the  title  to  the  church  (and  parsonage  and  glebe)  was 
transferred,  by  a  vote- of  the  town,  to  St.  George's 
Church,  Dr.  Jcnney  being  rector,  and  the  transfer 
confirmed  to  it  by  a  charter  from  George  II.  It  may 
DC  well  to  state  in  some  detail  the  action  which  was 
had  in  this  matter. 

First,  in  respect  to  the   action   of  the   freeholders. 

The  town  records  state  that  a  warrant  was  duly 
issued  for  a  town  meeting  to  be  held  April  4,  1784  ; 
that  the  meeting  was  held,  and  the  following  actioa 
taken  on  the  matter  before  us  : 

"  On  the  application  of  John  Tredwell,  William  Cor- 
nell, John  Cornell,  Jacob  Smith,  Esq.,  John  Searing  and 
Rd.  Thorn,  Gents.,  freeholders  of  the  said  town,  &c.,  &c. 
— then  and  there  voted  and  concluded  ncinine  contra 
diccntc  by  all  the  freeholders  then  and  there  present, 
— that  the  said  John  Treadwell,  Wm.  Cornell,  &c., 
&c., — shall  and  they  hereby  respectively  have  liberty 
granted  to  them  and  their  respective  heirs,  assigns 
&c.  &c., — to  take  up  the  quantity  of  half  an  acre  of 
land  at  or  near  the  place  where  the  old  church  now 
stands — whereon  to  build  a  church  wherein  to  perform 
divine  service  according  to  the  usage  of  the  Church 
of  England,  and  also  for  a  churchyard  or  burying" 
place." 

**  Ordered, — That  Thomas  Gildersleeve  and  John 
Mott,  Gents.,  do  survey  and  lay  out  to  the  above 
said  persons  the  said  ^  acre  of  land."* 

The  building  of  a  new  church  to  supersede  the  one 
now  dilapidated,  it  appears,  had  been  determined  on,, 
and  on  October  i  ith,  1733,  at  a  meeting  of  the  sub- 
scribers for  building  a  church  the  following  persons 

*  Church  Record,  p.  19. 


48  S^,   Georges  Church, 

were  chosen  to  act  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenny  as  man* 
agers  to  carry  on  the  said  building,  viz. 

Thomas  Williams,  Col.  John  Tredwell, 

Joseph  Smith,  Major  John  Cornell, 

John  Serri-ng,  William  Cornell 


[•  Esqs, 


Robert  Marvin,  Jacob  Smith, 

Robert  Sutton,  James  Pine, 

James  Stringham,  Richard  Thorne, 

Benjamin  Tredwell. 

Micah  Smith  was  appointed  treasurer,  to  receive 
the  subscriptions  and  make  payments  as  they  should 
be  ordered.  The  survey  of  the  half  acre  was  duly 
reported,  and  it  was  then  ordered  that  the  church  be 
set  at  the  west  end  of  the  old  one.^ 

The  grant  was  made,  it  will  be  noticed,  by  the 
town  to  individuals,  and  only  of  a  site  for  a  church. 
It  was  doubtless  felt  that  this  was  an  imperfect  and 
insecure  form  for  holding  a  trust  in  perpetuity — 
there  being  a  liability  of  a  lapse  through  the  extinc- 
tion of  successors.  The  only  secure  tenure  for  suc- 
cession and  preservation  for  all  time,  would  be  through 
a  corporation,  and  this  determined  the  parties  inter- 
ested to  take  steps  for  securing  an  act  of  incorpora- 
tion. 

The  second  step  in  these  proceedings  was  as  follows : 
An  application  was  made  to  the  Governor  and  Coun- 
cil of  the  Province  of  New  York  for  incorpora- 
tion.    In   the   office   of  the  Sec.  of  State,  Albany,t 

*  It  is  presumed  that  the  old  building  was  removed,  for  in  1742, 
John  Borland,  &  Co.  "  are  appointed  to  take  care  and  charge  of  our 
old  church  or  town  house,  to  secure  it  from  any  further  damages,  and 
to  prosecute  fhose  who  have  pulled  and  carried  away  a  greater  part  of 
it."  f  Col.  MSS.,.  Vol.  70,  p.  131. 


Rev,  Robert  Jenney.  49 

under  date  of  June  27,  1735,  is  this  entry — 
"Petition  of  Robert  Jenney,  &c.  —  inhabitants  of 
the  parish,  &c.,  for  incorporation,  &c. — proceedings 
of  the  Council  thereon." 

The  petitioners  were  as  follows: 

Rev.  Robert  Jenney,  Rector, 

James  Albertus,  Robert  Marvin, 

George  Balden,  Jacamiah  Mitchell, 
Gerhardus    Clowes,  Clerk  Joseph  Mott, 

of  Vestry,  Charles  Peters, 

William  Cornell,  Sr.  &  Jr.,  James  Pine,  Sr., 

John  Cornell,  Jr.,  John  Roe, 

John  Cornell,  Micah  Smith, 

Richard  Cornell,  Jr.,  Peter  Smith,  Jr. 

William  Cornell,  Timothy  Smith, 

Thomas  Cornell,  Jr.  Peter  Smith, 

Isaac  Germon,  Jacob  Smith, 

Thomas  Gildersleeve,  Joseph  Sniith, 

George  Gildersleeve,  Silas  Smith, 

Daniel  Hewlett,  Robert  Sutton, 

James  Hugins,  Richard  Thorne,  Esq., 

Joseph  Langdon,  Joseph  Thorne,  Esq., 

William  Langdon,  Thomas  Williams. 
Thomas  Lee, 

The  application  was  successful.  A  charter  of  in- 
corporation was  granted,  confirming  the  action  of 
the  freeholders,  and  extending  the  grant  to  the  par- 
sonage and  glebe  and  other  lands,  including  those 
which  until  recent  date  were  known  as  "  the  Parson- 
age on  the  South-bay."  The  terms  of  this  charter 
will  be  particularly  noticed  presently. 

From  the  facts  thus  recited  it  appears  that  up  to 
April,  1734,  the  title  to  the  meeting-house  and  minis- 
ster's  house  and  the  glebe  and  other  lands  resided  in 


50  SL   George  s  Church, 

the  inhabitants  of  the  town  who  were  freeholders,  and 
that  the  town  ceded  their  right  to  the  meeting-house 
and  its  site  to  representatives  of  the  Church  of  England^ 
and  that  the  sovereign  authority  of  the  State  confirm- 
ed their  action  by  making  these  and  other  representa- 
tives of  the  church — including  its  Rector — a  corpora- 
tion, and  transferring  this  property  and  all  other 
which  had  been  devoted  by  the  town  to  religious 
purposes,  to  said  corporation,  absolutely  and  forever. 
And  it  further  appears  that  at  the  time  said  grant 
was  made  to  the  corporation  of  St.  George's  Church, 
there  was  no  other  religious  body  in  the  town  having 
an  organization  with  a  succession  of  officers,  and  that, 
therefore,  no  inchoate  reserved  or  other  rights  of  any 
party  or  body  were  invaded  by  said  grant.  To  all 
the  action  we  have  described  there  were  no  opposing 
voices.  The  Town  Records  of  April  4,  1734,  states 
expressly  that  what  was  '■  then  and  there  voted  and 
concluded '  was,  *  iiemine  contradicente  '  — *  no  one 
objecting.' 

Few  tides  to  property  in  this  country  rest  upon 
such  a  stable  double  foundation  as  the  property  of 
this  parish.  And  if  there  had  been  any  defect  in  the 
grants  to  us  so  made  and  confirmed,  that  defect  would 
have  been  cured  by  this  provision  in  the  36th  article  of 
the  Constitution  of  the  State  of  New  York,  adopted  ia 
1777: 

"Nothing  in  this  Constitution  contained  shall  be 
construed  to  affect  any  grants  of  land  within  this 
State  made  by  the  authority  of  the  King  of  Great 
Britain  or  his  predecessors,  or  to  annul  any  charters 


Rev.  Robert  Jenrtey.  51 

to  bodies  politic,  by  him  or  them,  or  any  of  them, 
made  prior  to  the  14th  of  October,  1775. "''• 

Concerning  this  clause.  Judge  Redfield  of  Vermont 
says  :  "  It  is  manifest  that  all  royal  Charters  incorpo- 
rating Churches,  and  all  the  franck-ises  and  powers 
they  confer,  are  recognized  and  in  full  validity  at  this 
hour,  excepting  such  provisions  in  them  as  may  de- 
clare or  involve  the  exercise  within  the  State  of  an 
authority  by  a  foreign  prince  or  potentate,  "f 

As  we  have  mentioned  that  a  Charter  was  granted 
by  royal  authority  to  St.  George's,  Hempstead,  it  may 
be  well  to  state  that  Dr.  Jenney  was  made  sensible  of 
the  great  value  of  that  instrument,  both  for  rector  and 
parish,  when  he  became  rector  of  Christ  Church,  Phil- 
adelphia, which  had  not  been  endowed  with  one.  In 
his  correspondence  with  the  Venerable  Society,  under 
date  of  1749,  he  gives  this  expression  to  his  con- 
sciousness of  the  disadvantages. that  his  parish  labored 
under  from  being  deprived  of  one ;  and  to  which  he 
was,  doubtless,  made  more  alive  by  his  experience  of 
the  benefits  he  had  found  at  Hempstead  from  the  one 
it  possesses : 

"  Our  Church  labors  under  very  great  discourage- 
ment, as  we  have  no  legal  establishment  (as  they  have 
at  New  York),  not  so  much  as  a  Charter  of  Incorpo- 
ration to  enable  us  to  manage  our  Business  to  the  best 
advantage.  "J 

*  "So  the  14th  Section  of  the  Act  of  April,  1784,  Chap.  18,  re- 
newed in  I2th  Sec.  of  the  General  Act  of  April  5,  1813,  recognizes  the 
legality  of  religious  corporations  created  under  the  great  Seal  of  the 
Colony." — Hoffman  Ecch'S.  Laxvs  N.   Y.p.  i^. 

\  See  Hoffman's  Eccles.  Laws  N.  Y.,  p.  4o,  43. 

X  Docu.  Church.  Hist.  Penn.,  p.  260. 


52  S^.   George's  Church. 

From  the  statement  we  have  thus  made  respecting 
the  title  of  St.  George's  Parish  to  its  land  and  build- 
ings, we  now  turn  to  a  narrative  of  the  events  in  the 
parish  under  its  second  rector,  Dr.  Robert  Jenney — a 
most  worthy  successor  to  the  excellent  Thomas, 
who  laid  the  foundations  on  which  his  successors  have 
builded. 

The  following  extracts  from  Dr.  Jenney's  corres- 
pondence will  be  found  to  afford  an  interesting  and 
instructive  view  of  the  condition  of  the  parish  under 
his  ministrations,  and  prove  that  he  here  exhibited 
that  wise  and  persevering  spirit  which  won  for  him  a 
distinguished  position  among  the  clergy  of  the  Church 
in  his  day  : 

May,  1726. — *'  I  have  baptized  j  i  persons,  2  being 
adults  and  i  negro  infant,  and  have  admitted  6  to  the 
sacrament — one  of  them  a  negro  who  has  all  along 
preserved  his  character  unblemished. 

June  27,  1728: — "  Our  past  winter  has  been  very 
severe.  Mr.  Gildersleeve,  our  schoolmaster,  says 
Hempstead  was  settled  some  time  before  they  had  any 
minister  or  house  for  Divine  service.  The  first  church 
was  very  small,  much  less  than  the  small  one  we  have 
now.  Travelling  preachers,  sometimes  Independents, 
sometimes  Presbyterians  (for  the  most  part  from  New 
England),  did  now  and  then  officiate,  without  any  cov- 
enant with  the  people  or  settlement  by  law.  In  1680 
the  town  agreed  to  build  a  better  house  by  name  of 
a  meeting  house ;  but  after  it  was  built  there  arose  a 
great  controversy  between  the  Presbyterians  and  In- 
dependents, in  which  the  Presbyterians  got  the  better, 
and  one  Denton  was  covenanted  with  to  be  their  min 
ister  ;  but  he  soon  left,  as  did  several  others  that  were 
afterwards  covenanted  with  in  the  same  manner,  till 


Rev,  Robert  Jenney,  53 

the  arrival  of  Mr.  Thomas  from  the  Honorable  Society. 
Him  they  inducted  into  the  possession  of  the  church, 
parsonage-house  and  glebe.  The  church  is  not  kept 
in  good  repair,  which  occasions  thin  congregations  in 
cold  weather.  There  is  a  cloth,  said  to  be  presented 
by  Queen  Anne,  which  seems  designed  for  a  table  in 
front  of  the  desk,  which  we  are  forced  to  make  use  of 
when  we  receive  the  sacrament.  The  minister's  salary 
is  £ap  from  Hempstead  and  ;^20  from  Oysterbay,  by 
an  agreement  among  them.  I  have  in  possession  an 
old,  ruinous  house,  much  out  of  repair,  near  the  church, 
with  three  acres  of  poor,  worn-out  land,  the  pasture 
of  which  will  not  support  one  horse.  There  belongs 
to  the  parsonage  a  farm,  about  five  miles  distant,  of 
one  hundred  and  seventy-two  acres  of  upland  and 
twenty-five  of  mcadovv.  I  have  put  a  poor  man  upon 
it,  but  whether  to  any  advantage  to  me  I  can't  yet  tell. 
These  two  have  been  surveyed  by  Mr.  Samuel  Clowes, 
of  Jamaica,  who  underwrites  his  draft  that  the  church 
has  a  title  to  a  hundredth  part  of  the  whole  township. 
Besides  this  there  is,  about  seven  miles  distant,  a  small 
lot  of  meadow,  which  I  did  lease  out  but  got  nothing 
by  it. 

"But  I  am  threatened  with  an  ejectment,  first,  by 
the  heirs  of  one  Ogden,  from  whom  the  purchase  was 
made,  in  what  year  I  cannot  find,  for  it  is  not  in  the 
records,  and  the  deeds  are  lost,  and  all  those  con- 
cerned in  the  purchase  are  dead  ;  second,  by  the  Pres- 
byterians; third,  by  the  Quakers,  who  say  it  belongs 
to  the  town." 


Concerning  the  source  from  whence  were  derived 
these  197  acres,  referred  to  by  Mr.  Jenney,  no  certain 
information  is  preserved.  We  know  only  that  in  the 
very  early  records  of  the  town,  the  *'  parsonage 
meadow  "  is  often  spoken  of  as  a  distinct  piece  of 
3* 


54  -S*/.  George's  Church, 

property  from  "the  parsonage  home  lot."  And 
Henry  Onderdonk,  Jr.,  of  Jamaica^ has  in  his  '*  Annals 
of  Hempstead  "  furnished  sundry  transcripts  from  the 
Town  Records,  which  afford  sufficient  grounds  for  a 
reasonable  conclusion  respecting  the  source  of  the 
Church's  possession  of  this  property.  Under  the 
date  of  March  7,  1666,  is  this  record: 

"  In  the  17th  year  of  His  Majesty's  reign,  Charles 
the  Second,  by  the  grace  of  God,  King  of  Great 
Britain,  France  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  Faith — 
Joseph  Jennings  hires  the  Parsonage  farm,  formerly 
so  called,  at  £'J.^  per  year,  to  be  paid  in  corn  or 
cattle." 

It  is  clear  from  this  entry  that  land  was  devoted  to- 
the  use  of  tlie  minister  of  the  town,  prior  to  even  this 
early  date,  and  that  it  was  of  considerable  extent  to. 
bring  such  a  rental  at  that  day. 

December  25,  1678 — there  is  also  this  reference  ta 
a  "  Parsonage  Meadow." — ''Agreed,  that  the  one 
hundred  acre  lots  shall  be  taken  up  in  turn  (as  drawa 
by  lot),  three  days  being  allowed  each  to  make  his 
choice  and  mark  it.  Mr.  Seaman  and  Daniel  BedelL 
are  chosen  to  lay  out,  forthwith,  all  the  common 
meadow  in  the  town  bounds,  except  the  cow  meadow 
and  the  Parsonage  meadow,  &c." — B.  255 — 8. 

It  is  reasonable  to  conclude,  that  by  some  such 
*  allotment,'  the  land  spoken  of  by  Mr.  Jenney  had 
been  set  apart  at  an  early  period  of  the  settlement  of 
the  town,  towards  the  support  of  a  minister. 

That  a  considerable  portion  of  the  town  was  set 
apart  by  lot  from  the  earliest  period    of  the    town's 


Rev,    Robert   Jenney.  55 

settlement,    we   have  this    testimony   in    the   Town 
Records,  under  the  date  of  "  February  12,  1706  :" 

**  At  the  first  settHng  of  the  town,  it  was  settled 
upon  fifty  proprietors — (the  names  are  given) — and 
the  land  was  divided  as  follows : — home  lots,  &c. — 
and  twenty-two  acre  lots,  and  150  acres  to  each  pro- 
prietor, and  50  acres  to  every  inhabitant,  as  they 
are  named  in  record  :  these  we  do  confirm  to  every 
man  that  has  a  just  right  to  them ;  also,  all  former 
grants  and  gifts  shall  stand,  &c."— D.  167.  Under  this. 
term,  "  grants  and  gifts  "  the  "  Parsonage  Meadow," 
described  in  Mr.  Jenney's  letter  as  "  a  farm  belonging 
to  the  parsonage,  about  five  miles  distant,  of  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-two  acres  of  upland,  and  twenty- 
five  of  meadow,"  would  properly  come.  The  records 
of  the  grants  made  by  the  proprietors  and  their  suc- 
cessors are  believed  to  have  been  lost;  and  Mr.  S. 
Clowes,  an  intelligent  authority,  asserted,  as  we  have 
seen,  p.  43,  that**  the  church  was  entitled  to  100 
parts  of  ye  whole  township;"  and  there  is,  therefore, 
no  way  now  of  determining  who  were  the  grantees. 

I  have  referred  to  the  matter,  not  because  it  is  of 
great  importance  to  determine,  at  this  day,  the  source 
from  which  the  property  was  derived,  but  simply  be- 
cause it  is  a  matter  to  arouse  our  curiosity.  So  far 
as  title  is  concerned,  it  is  sufficient  to  know  that  the 
church  has  evidence  of  possession  undisputed,  run- 
ning back  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  years. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  add  another  reference  to 
the  Town  Records  under  the  date  of  May  30,  1705, 
where  John  Searing,  Sr.,  John  Carle  and  Thomas 
Gildcrsl  jcvvj  were  chosen  by  major  vote — at  a  general 


56  S^.   Georges  Church. 

town  meeting — *'  For  to  repair  the  parsonage  house 
and  home  lot,  and  fence  the  parsonage  mcadoWy  so 
that  they  may  be  tenantable,  at  the  town's  cost  and 
charge,  and  to  repair  the  Church,  and  what  is  needful 
about  them  all." — D.  i6o. 

From  this  it  will  be  seen — in  confirmation  of  what 
has  been  said  already — that  the  church  was  at  this 
date,  and  when  Mr.  Thomas  had  been  here  several 
months,  owned  by  the  town  and  not  by  any  religious 
body. 

But  to  continue  the  extract  from  Mr.  Jenney,  which 
has  been  interrupted  by  this  statement  concerning 
the  Parsonage  South,  so  called : 

"  As  to  the  number  of  inhabitants  at  first,  I  can't 
meet  with  any  information,  from  the  oldest  men  here 
being  at  a  loss  in  this  point.  But  it  is  certain  it  is 
much  greater  now,  for  the  whole  parish  is  settled  very 
thick.  In  1722  the  governor  ordered  a  census.  The 
constable  gave  in  : 

HEMPSTEAD.  OYSTERBAY. 

WHITES. 

475  Men,  532  Boys       1     325  Men,  331  Boys 

472  Women,  472  Girls      I     325  Women,  268  Girls- 

NEGROES    AND   INDIAN    SLAVES. 

116  Men,  76  Boys     1     41  Men,  17  Boys 

76  Women,  51  Girls  27  Women,  26  Girls 

Total,  3,629  in  my  parish. 

"  At  the  first  coming  of  Mr.  Thomas,  I  am  told, 
not  above  five  or  six  adhered  to  the  Church,  and  they 
brought  their  religion  from  England,  where  they  were 
born.  The  rest  were  Presbyterians  or  Independents,, 
and  the  most  Quakers.  Our  congregation  now  is 
very  uncertain,  being  greater  or  smaller  according  to 
the  weather.  In  summer  we  are  generally  crowded 
entirely,    especially    in    the    afternoon,   and    also    im 


Rev,  Robert  yenney,  57 

winter  when  there  is  snow  enough  upon  the  ground 
to  carry  their  slays  (a  very  convenient  and  easy  way 
of  traveUing  at  such  seasons),  but  they  are  but  rare  at 
other  times.  Our  church  is  generally  full  but  not 
crowded.  Most  of  the  professed  members  of  the 
church  live  at  a  distance  from  it ;  the  body  of  the 
Presbyterians,  at  least  the  much  greater  part,  live 
here  in  the  town  spot.  The  people's  manner  of  liv- 
ing is  scattered  up  and  down,  excepting  that  there  are 
•a  few  very  small  villages,  as  Hempstead,  Jerusalem, 
■Success,  Bungy  or  Westbury,  Oysterbay,  Bethpage, 
Norwich  and  Wheatly.  Those  who  live  in  the  vil- 
lages are  the  poorest  of  the  people,  the  more  substan- 
tial farmers  finding  it  for  their  interest  to  live  at  a 
distance  from  each  other.  There  are  but  two 
<:hurches  in  my  parish,  one  at  Hempstead  and  a  very 
small  one  at  Oysterbay,  where  our  congregation  in- 
creases, but  is  yet  very  small. 

"  The  Quakers  have  two  meeting  houses,  one  at 
the  Head  of  Cow  Neck,  another  at  Bungy  ;  but  they 
meet  at  many  places  in  barns  or  houses,  according  to 
the  bigness  of  their  conCTresration. 

''  In  the  town  spot  of  Hempstead  is  but  one  Pres- 
byterian meeting  house,  the  only  one  in  the  parish  ; 
but  they  are  so  poor  and  few  that  it  is  with  difficulty 
-that  they  maintain  their  minister.  We  daily  expect 
he  will  leave  them. 

"  The  religions  in  my  parish  are  a  very  few  Presby- 
terians in  Hempstead,  and  rather  fewer  Baptists  ;  at 
Oysterbay  more  of  the  Church,  more  than  both  to- 
gether of  the  Quakers.  But  most  of  all  of  latitudi- 
Jiarians,  who  run  from  one  congregation  to  another 
and  hold  to  that  religion  whose  preacher  pleases  them 
best. 

"  Both  the  towns  of  my  parish  extend  across  the 
Island,  sixteen  miles  from  north  to  south,  from  east  to 
west  about  twenty  miles,  from  corner  to  corner  near 


58  SL   Georges  Church, 

thirty  miles.  The  roads  are  good  in  good  weather, 
but  yet  travelling  is  very  troublesome  in  the  heat 
of  summer  and  the  cold  of  winter,  which  are  both 
extreme.  For  a  great  part  of  my  parish  being  a  plain 
of  sixteen  miles  long,  without  shade  br  shelter,  the 
wind  and  sun  have  their  full  strength,  and  some- 
times in  winter  the  snow  is  so  deep  as  to  make  trav- 
elling impossible,  and  so  it  has  been  for  a  great  part 
of  this  winter. 

''There  is  nothing  more  inconstant  than  schools 
here,  excepting  those  from  the  Honorable  Society. 
The  usual  custom  is  for  a  set  of  neighbors  to  engage 
a  schoolmaster  for  one  year.  'Tis  seldom  they  keep 
the  same  longer,  and  often  they  are  without  for  sev- 
eral years.  The  only  master  that  has  staid  long  with 
his  employers  is  one  Thomas  Keble,  upon  a  neck  of 
land  called  Musqueto  Cove,^  where  he  behaves  very 
well  and  does  good  service.  The  common  rule  for 
payment  for  the  masters  is  by  subscription,  ;^20  with 
diet,  or  ^^30  without.  But  Mr.  Gildersleeve  has  five 
shilhngs  per  quarter  for  each  scholar. 

"  The  clmrch  has  no  donation  ;  the  minister  and 
schoolmaster  no  benefactions ;  the  library  is  only 
that  from  the  Venerable  Society. 

'*  The  negroes  are  so  dispersed  that  it  is  impossible 
for  me  to  instruct  them,  and  scarce  any  of  their  mas- 
ters or  mistresses  will. 

"  There  is  in  the  town  spot  Mr.  [Gerardus]  Clowes, 
who  about  three-quarters  of  a  >ear  ago  began  a 
school,  and  spent  the  Sunday  evenings  in  catechising 
those  negroes  which  would  go  to  him  during  the 
winter  ;  but  in  summer  he  has  no  time,  the  evenings 
being  short  and  the  day  taken  up  with  the  service  in 
the  church  being  twice  performed,  and  then  there 
went  but  a  few  to  be  instructed  by  him.     I  have  one 

*  Now  Glen  Cove. 


Rev,  Robert  Je^iney.  59 

negro  a  communicant,  and  my  own  were  baptized  in 
their  infancy,  and  they  (being  two)  shall  be  carefully 
instructed  while  1  have  them. 

"  At  my  first  coming  here  several  of  the  leading 
men  of  the  town  pressed  me  earnestly  to  represent  to 
the  Society  the  necessity  of  a  successor  to  Mr.  Gil- 
dersleeve.  Then  Mrs.  Thomas  was  among  them, 
who  assured  me  that  her  husband  designed  to  do  so 
if  he  had  recovered.  I  enclose  a  memorial  recom- 
mending Mr.  Clowes.  He  thereupon  has  wrote  me 
a  letter,  which  is  also  enclosed.  He  is  the  son  of  a 
very  active  friend  of  the  missionaries,  Mr.  Samuel 
Clowes,  of  Jamaica,  whose  services,  especially  to  the 
two  parishes  of  Jamaica  and  Hempstead,  are  upon 
record. 

"  1729. — I  preach  every  Sunday  morning,  and 
catechize  and  read  lectures  on  the  catechism  every 
Sunday  afternoon.  Every  third  Sunday  at  Oyster 
Bay.  At  both  places  I  have  an  encouraging  number 
of  hearers.  " 

Very  naturally,  Mr.  Jenney  was  not  satisfied  with 
a  church  building  unsuitable  for  the  proper  perform- 
ance of  the  Church  services, — which  was  used  for 
political  meetings, — '  was  not  kept  in  good  repair,' — 
and  above  all  was  the  common  property  of  the 
town  and  not  of  the  parish.  He,  therefore,  deter- 
mined to  have  a  new  edifice,  if  possible  ;  properly 
arranged,  and  which  should  be  used  exclusively  as  a 
*  house  of  worship,'  and  should  be  built  by  individual 
gifts  and  be  the  property  of  the  parish.  His  enter- 
prise slowly  gathered  adherents,  till  at  length,  in  1733, 
the  matter  took  formal  and  effective  shape.  The 
Churchmen  here  asked  of  the  town  the  gift  of  the 
site  of  the  now  dilapidated  church,  and  the  request 


6o  S^.  George's  Church. 

was,  as  we  have  seen,*  readily  granted  at  the  town 
meeting,  held  April,  1734;  and  the  work  was  imme- 
diately begun.  The  vestry  records  give  an  account, 
of  the  several  steps  of  the  proceedings,  of  which  the. 
following  is  one  item  : 

1734,  April  2. — "John  Mott  and  Thomas  Gilder- 
sleeve,  by  order  of  the  town,  set  apart  half  an  acre 
for  a  new  church,  west  of  the  old  one.  The  carpen- 
ter gave  the  vestry  a  scantling  of  the  timber. 
Anthony  Yelverton,  the  head  workman  on  the: 
church,  had  4s.  6d.  a  day  and  found.  He  boarded  at 
Richard  Bedell's.  His  apprentices  had  some  4s.,. 
some  2s.  per  day.  Joseph  Hall,  Sr.,  worked  with  the 
carpenters,  at  4s.  3d.  a  day,  and  found  himself.  His 
sons,  Joseph,  Benjamin  and  John,  also  assisted." 

The  dimensions  of  the  church  were  50  feet  long, 
36  feet  wide  ;  with  a  tower  14  feet  square,  and  with 
steeple  100  feet  high.  The  pitch  of  the  ceiling  with- 
in was  23  feet.  It  was  of  timber  grooved,  covered 
with  cedar  shingles,  rounded  butts.  The  tower  faced 
the  ^vest,  and  through  it  was  the  main  entrance  to  the 
church ;  and  here  was  a  tablet  on  which  was  lettered 
in  gilt — ''  Keep  thy  foot  when  thou  goest  to  the 
house  of  God." — Ecclesiastes  5:1. 

There  was  another  entrance  from  the  south,  in  the 
side  of  the  church,  which  admitted  to  a  short  aisle 
crossing  the  main  one,  coming  from  the  west.  Oppo- 
site the  south  door  was  the  pulpit,  standing  against  the 
north  side  of  the  house,  and  underneath  this  was  placed 
the  reading  desk  and  the  desk  of  the  clerk.  The  chancel 
was  at  the  east  end  of  the  church,  over  which  was  a  large 

*  p-  34. 


m.  mmom^wB  gawMOH^  aiHPif  iab,.  1. 1. 

Built,  1733.      Ofknkd,  Aimul  22,  1735,  uv  Gor.  Cosiiv, 
Taken  Down,  1821,     New  Edifice  Ekkc'Ted,  1822. 


Rev,  Robert  Jenney,  6 1 

window.     These  internal  arrangements  were  not  un- 
common with    the    churches    of   that   day.      It    was 
ordered  that  *'  half  the  church  be  seated  with  com- 
mendable pews  of  a  convenient  breadth.     There  were 
eighteen  such  pews.     But  in  time,  other   pews   took 
the  place  of  open  benches.     The  pews  were  let  or 
sold  for  a  limited  period,  and  those  who  had  sub- 
scribed   to    the    building,    were    to    be    allowed    the 
amounts  of  their  subscriptions  towards  the  purchase 
money  of  a  pew.     By  action   of  the   vestry,  a  deed 
was  ordered  to  be  given  "  the   Hon.  George   Clark,. 
Esq.,   Lieut.-Gov.    of   New  York,  for  pew    No.   I."" 
Mr.  Clark,  at  that  time,  resided  at  Hyde  Park,  and 
had  generously  aided  the  church. 

The  site  of  the  chancel  of  that  church,  thus  built 
through  Mr.  Jenney's  exertions,  is  indicated  to  us  by 
the  inscription  on  the  grave-stone  of  the  Rev.  Thos.. 
L.  Moore,  which  stands  by  the  edge  of  the  flagging, 
coming  from  the  west  gate — for  that  inscription 
reads : 

"  On  the  22d  of  February,  1799, 

(Then  under  the  altar  of  the  old  church  :) 

The  remains  of  the  late 

REV.    THS.    L.    MOORE, 

were  here  interred." 

The  site  of  the  church  was  of  half  an  acre,  but 
the  town  in  April,  1734,  "  granted  half  an  acre  of  the 
undivided  lands  of  the  town  to  be  added  to  the  half 
acre  already  given,  for  a  churchyard  or  burying- 
place." 

Any  representation  of  the  church  built  under  Dr. 
Jenney,  was  not  known  to  be  in  existence  until  very 
recently  a  sketch  of  it  was  found,  happily  preserved 


62  S^.  Georges  Church. 

in  a  school  book  belonging  to  Walter,  one  of  the 
excellent  family  of  Nichols.  The  drawing  made  by 
him,  while  but  a  lad,  has  rescued  the  picture  of  it 
from  oblivion.  The  church  having  been  finished,  it 
was  opened  and  dedicated  with  an  imposing  degree 
of  ceremony.  In  defect  of  there  being  any  Bishop 
in  North  America  to  perform  the  appropriate  service, 
the  offices  of  Gov.  Crosby,  the  Governor  of  the 
Province,  were  brought  into  requisition,  and  he  ap- 
pears to  have  deemed  the  occasion  worthy  of  his 
personal  presence.  The  incidents  connected  with 
the  dedication,  are  thus  fully  described  in  Bradford's 
New  York  Gazette  of  that  day : 

**  Consecration  of  St.  George's  Church. 

1735.  "  On  Tuesday,  April  22,  His  Excellency  our 
Governor,  with  his  lady  and  family,  attended  by  his. 
son-in-law  and  lady,  Secretary  Clarke,  Chief  Justice 
Delancey,  Rev.  Mr.  Vesey,  some  of  the  clergy,  and  a 
great  many  of  the  principal  merchants  and  gentlemen 
and  ladies  of  the  city  of  New  York,  set  out  for  Hemp- 
stead, to  be  present  at  the  consecration  of  the  church 
lately  erected  there.  About  six  miles  west  of  Jamaica 
he  was  met  by  the  troops  of  horse,  who  escorted  him 
to  Jamaica,  where  a  handsome  dinner  was  provided 
for  all  the  company.  In  the  afternoon  he  proceeded 
to  Hempstead  (escorted  as  before),  where  he  arrived  in 
the  evening,  and  was  entertained  in  a  very  handsome 
manner  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Jenney,  minister  of  that 
place. 

"The  next  day,  being  St.  George's  Day,  the  regi- 
ment of  militia  and  troop  being  drawn  up  on  either 
side,  from  Mr.  Jenney's  house  to  the  church.  His  Ex- 
cellency, attended  by  the  most  considerable  gentle- 
men of  the  county,   walked  to  the  church,  where  a 


N 


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2,354 


1 


zrp 


I .   Co/?z/nunio?L    Tabic. 

2,3<&:4.  Fidpii,Rcac/mfj  and  C/ct/fsDesk. 

5.  Soi^ih  J)oor. 

6-  Tower  Jt  West  Door, 


Rev.    Robert   Jenney,  63 

very  excellent  sermon  was  preached  on  the  occasion, 
before  a  most  crowded  audience,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jen- 
ney,  from  Psalm  84  :  i,  2  :  ''  How  amiable  are  thy  tab- 
ernacles," &c. 

"  After  divine  service  His  Excellency  reviewed  the 
regiment  of  militia  and  troops  standing  under  arms, 
and  expressed  a  particular  satisfaction  on  the  appear- 
ance both  of  the  officers  and  men.  His  Excellency  was 
afterwards  entertained  in  a  splendid  manner  by  Colo- 
nel Tredwell,  commander  of  the  regiment,  and  in  the 
evening  by  Colonel  Corn  well  of  Rockaway,  in  the 
same  manner. 

''The  next  day  the  Governor  returned,  and  arrived 
in  town  in  good  health,  pleased  with  the  reception  he 
everywhere  met  with  from  all  ranks,  with  the  extraor- 
dinary concourse  of  people  from  all  parts  on  the  oc- 
casion, and  with  the  handsome  appearance  of  the 
militia,  both  horse  ard  foot." — Neiu  York  Gazelle. 

"  A  generous  collection  was  made  for  the  church  on 
this  occasion.  The  Governor  gave  the  King's  arms, 
painted  and  gilded  ;  Secretary  Clarke,  a  crimson  dam- 
ask set  of  furniture  for  the  communion-table,  pulpit 
and  desk  ;  and  John  March  a  silver  basin  for  baptism. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Vesey  and  his  people  had  already  con- 
tributed about  ^50." 

The  following  is  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenney's  account  of 
this  event,  as  reported  to  the  Venerable  Society: 

''Hcmpstcady  July  ^o^  1735- — My  congregation  had 
grown  too  big  for  the  house  1  officiated  in,  wiiich  is  also 
very  much  gone  to  decay,  and  too  old  and  crazy  to  be 
repaired  and  enlarged  to  any  tolerable  purpose.  So 
we  resolved  to  build  a  new  one.  We  now  make  use 
of  it.  When  I  first  set  about  it  I  consulted  Mr.  Com- 
missary Vesey,  and  he  proved  very  serviceable,  by 
contributing  largely  out  of  his  own  purse,  and  by 
the  interest  he  has,  of  a  long  standing,  amongst  my 


^4  '^^'   Georges  Church, 

people,  whom  he  encouraged  and  spurred  on  to  the 
.business,  and  by  recommending  the  affairs  to  his  own 
people,  from  whom  I  have  about  ^50.  His  Excel- 
lency Governor  Crosby  and  his  lady  (under  whose 
influence  and  encouragement  the  church  flourishes 
continually)  have  appeared  for  us  in  a  public  and 
remarkable  manner,  so  as  to  influence  others.  They 
have  done  us  the  honor  to  name  our  church  St. 
George's,  and  appointed  St.  George's  day  for  the  open- 
ing of  it.  There  were  present  at  the  Divine  service 
His  Excellency  and  lady,  with  their  Excellencies'  son- 
in-law,  with  his  lady,  attended  by  Secretary  Clarke, 
Chief- Justice  Delancey,  Rev.  Commissary  Vesey, 
some  of  the  clergy  and  a  large  company  of  gentlemen 
.and  ladies  from  New  York,  and  some  from  other  parts 
-of  the  Province.  At  the  same  time  a  collection  was 
made  after  the  sermon,  in  which  the  Governor  and 
lady  and  the  gentlemen  and  ladies  present  were  re- 
markably generous.  Mr,  John  March,  a  gentleman 
from  Jamaica,  W.  I.,  now  in  this  Province  for  the  re- 
<;overy  of  his  health,  gave  us  a  silver  bason,  to  serve 
for  baptism  in  the  place  of  a  font,  which  we  are  not 
provided  with.  His  Excellency  also  has  made  us  a 
most  noble  present  of  His  Majesty's  Royal  charter  to 
make  us  a  corporation,  &c.  Mr.  Secretary  Clarke 
has  generously  remitted  the  fees  of  his  ofiice.  Mr. 
Attorney  General  Bradley  has  given  his  fee  and 
Messrs.  John  Chambers  and  Joseph  Murray,  counsel- 
lors and  attorneys  at  law  of  great  reputation,  have 
prepared  and  engrossed  the  charter  gratis.  The 
■chancel  is  railed  in.  Our  pulpit  and  desk  is  com- 
pletely finished,  and  half  the  church  is  pewed. 
We  design  to  pew  the  other  half.  The  east  end 
window  only  is  as  yet  glazed,  and  no  plastering  done ; 
but  we  were  in  a  fair  way  of  completing  the  whole, 
when  an  unhappy  accident  put  a  stop  for  a  while  to 
our  proceedings.      On  the  23d  of  June  a  thunder  clap 


Rev,  Robert   Jenney,  d^ 

strtrck  our  steeple  and  did  it  considerable  damage^ 
but  we  are  now  vigorously  proceeding  to  repair  it^ 
and  at  present  the  greatest  difficulty  we  apprehend  is 
how  to  get  a  bell  of  such  size  as  to  be  serviceable  to 
so  large  a  parish.  His  Excellency  and  all  his  com- 
pany have  been  pleased  to  approve  our  proceedings. 
They  commend  the  workmanship  and  think  we  have 
doj^e  wonders,  considering  our  circumstances  and  the 
time  we  have  been  about  it." 

Thus  was  completed  the  third  building  for  the 
religious  use  of  the  people  of  Hempstead. 

The  first,  built   1648,  continued  to  1673,  26  years. 

The  second,  built  1673,  continued  to  1733,  60  years. 

The  tliird,  built  1734,  continued  to  182 1,  '^'j  years. 
The  fourth,  built  1822,  is  the  present  one. 

With  the  effort  to  build  a  church  distinctively  Epis- 
copal, there  was  an  endeavor  to  secure  a  charter  of 
incorporation,  to  which  we  have  already  referred. 
The  petition  having  been  granted,  the  charter  was 
formally  presented  to  the  managers  and  read  to  them 
by  Dr.  Jenney,  July  28,  1735.  The  following  is  tlie 
record  : 

"  Att  a  meeting  of  the  managers  for  building  a 
church  at  Hempstead,  the  28th  of  July,  1735,, 
present : 

Mr.  Jenney,  Rector,  Thomas  Williams, 

Coll.  Cornell,  Richard  Thorne,  /    p 

Benjamin  Treadwell,  William  Cornell,  )       ^^' 

Robert  Marvin,  John  Serring, 

Jacob  Smith,  Micah  Smith. 

"His  Majesty's  Royal  Charter  for  incorporat-- 
ing  the  Communicants  of  the  Church  aforesaid  was. 
Read — appointing  the  said   Mr.  Jenney    Rector,  CoL 

5 


66  S^.   Georges  Church. 

Cornell  and  Micah  Smith,  Church  Wardens ;  William 
Cornell,  Jacob  Smith,  Richard  Thorne,  James  Pine, 
Joseph  Smith,  Robert  Sutton,  Robert  Marvin, 
Thomas  Williams,  John  Serring  and  Benjamin  Tread- 
well,  Vestrymen." 

The  charter  in  full  is  given  in  an  Appendix. 

This  venerable  and  valuable  instrument  is  still  in 
our  possession,  and  in  a  remarkably  good  state  of 
preservation,  considering  the  hazards  and  exposures 
it  has  been  subjected  to.^  It  is  engrossed  on  a  sheet 
and  a  half  of  parchment,  and  has  attached  to  it  the 
Great  Seal  of  the  Province  of  New  York — depicted  as 
No  7  in  Doc.  His.  of  N.  Y.,  Vol.  4. 

Charters  were  granted  likewise  to  other  churches 
in  this  Province.  Two  of  them  were  earlier  than 
ours,  viz.,  that  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  in  1697, 
and  St.  Andrew's,  Staten  Island,  in  1713.  The 
others  were  subsequent,  viz.,  Jamaica,  Flushing,  and 
Newtown,  1761  ;  St.  Peter's,  Westchester,  1762  ;  Rye, 
1764.  But  ours  has  features  which  are  peculiar  to 
it;  and  Judge  Hoffman,  in  his  work  on  the  Ecclesi- 
astical Laws  of  the  State  of  New  York,  (P.  16,)  has 
selected  it  as  a  criterion  by  which  to  exhibit  the  va- 
riations of  the  other  charters. 

And  a  noteworthy  fact  to  be  mentioned  is  that 
this  charter,  unaltered,  is  the  organic  law  of  the 
parish  to  this  day.  While  some,  if  not  all  the  other 
charters,  have  been  submitted  to  the  Legislature  for 
alterations  of  title,  or  in  some  other  particular,  ours 
has  never  been  put  within  the  power  of  the  whims  or 
the  malice  of  that  body.     And  we  may  well  congratu- 

*  See  Appendix  C,  for  Copy  of  the   Charter. 


Rev.  Robert  Je^tney.  6j 

late  ourselves  on  this.  Judge  Hoffman's  judgment  * 
is  that  the  other  parishes  would  have  done  wisely  to 
have  abided  in  the  intrenched  position  their  charters 
afforded  them,  and  that  the  inconveniences  they  sought 
to  have  removed  were  less  than  those  entailed  by 
the  interference  they  were  thenceforth  liable  to  from 
the  not  always  friendly  hands  of  legislators.  A  char- 
ter once  submitted  to  a  Legislature  for  alterations, 
to  be  enacted,  is  from  that  time  its  creature,  and  ex- 
posed to  have  changes  made  in  it  which  are  neither 
asked  for  nor  desired.  Till  so  submitted  it  cannot 
be  altered.  It  is  inviolable.  It  cannot  be  amended 
or  in  any  way  infringed  upon.  This  most  important 
point  was  settled  in  the  well  known  Dartmouth  Col- 
les^e  case. 

That  case  is  entitled  "  The  Trustees  of  Dartmouth 
College  against  Woodward,"  and  is  reported  4  Whea- 
ton,  518,  and  was  this.  In  December,  1769,  George 
the  Third,  by  John  Wentworth,  Governor  and  Com- 
mander-in-chief, &c.  of  the  Province  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, granted  a  charter  to  twelve  persons,  with  their 
successors,  incorporating  them  as  Trustees  of  Dart- 
mouth College,  to  have  and  to  hold  all  and  singular, 
the  privileges,  &c.,  &c.,  given  and  granted  unto  them, 
the  said  Trustees  of  Dartmouth  College,  and  to  their 
successors  forever.'' 

For  fifty  years  the  college  prosecuted  its  work 
under  the  Charter,  undisturbed.  But  in  18 16,  the 
Legislature  of  New  Hampshire,  of  its  own  motion^ 
amended  this  charter.  Tiie  trustees  refused  to  recog- 
nize   the    amendments.      But    the   treasurer    of  the 

*  Ecc.  Laws  N.  Y.,  p.  309. 


68  S^.  Georges  Church, 

college  deferred  to  the  action  of  the  Legislature — 
kept  possession  of  the  book  ^of  records,  the  corporate 
seal,  and  other  property,  and  refused  to  obey  the  old 
board  of  trustees.  Thereupon  the  trustees  brought 
an  action  in  behalf  of  Dartmouth  College,  in  the 
State  Court  of  New  Hampshire,  to  recover  their  prop- 
erty. The  State  Court  upheld  the  action  of  the 
Legislature,  and  decided  against  the  plaintiffs.  From 
that  decision,  by  writ  of  error,  the  case  was  carried 
to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  Daniel 
Webster  argued  the  case  on  behalf  of  the  trustees,, 
and  William  Wirt  for  the  defendants.  The  Supreme 
Court  reversed  the  decision  of  the  State  Court,  and 
decided  that  the  original  charter  was  a  contract;  that 
the  charter  was  not  dissolved  by  the  Revolution  ;  that 
under  the  provision  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States,  that  no  State  should  make  any  law  impairing 
the  obligation  of  a  contract,  this  charter  could  not  be 
changed :  that  the  act  of  the  State  Legislature  of 
New  Hampshire,  altering  the  charter  without  the- 
consent  of  the  corporation,  was  an  act  impairing  the 
obligation  of  the  charter,  and  was  unconstitutional 
and  void.  The  questions  involved  were  of  such 
grave  importance  that  opinions  were  written  by  Chief- 
Justice  Marshall,  and  by  Justices  Washington  and 
Story. 

Charters  of  the  present  day  are  granted  only  with 
the  reservation  clause — *'  This  act  may  be  amended 
or  repealed  at  any  time."  But  our  charter  has  no- 
such  reservation.  Like  that  of  Dartmouth  College,, 
the  Charter  of  St.  George's  has  the  Jiabendum  clause 
— **  To  have  and  to  hold  all  and  singular,  the  prem- 


Rev,  Robert  Jenney.  69 

ises  aforesaid,  &c. — forever."  Thus,  as  says  a 
legal  writer — "  here  was  a  corporation  endowed  with 
immortality,  that  could  set  itself  within  its  corporate 
limitations,  above  the  State — an  impermm  hi  imperio. 
For  it  will  be  observed  that  there  is  no  limitation 
made,  or  authority  reserved  in  the  ^'  Jiabenditm  clause." 

''  Mr.  Jenney  writes  (May  5,  1737),  that  he  has  re- 
ceived the  box  of  Common  Prayer  Books  and  has 
distributed  them  where  he  thought  them  most  wanted, 
and  received  for  the  Society  humble  thanks  from 
every  one  of  the  receivers  of  them.  He  baptized 
within  the  last  year  thirty-two,  viz.  :  three  adults  (one 
a  negro  man  slave)  and  twenty-nine  infants." 

''ly 2)^, March  25. — The  year  1737  has  offered  noth- 
ing remarkable  in  his  parish.  He  baptized  thirty- 
five,  of  whom  five  were  adults  and  one  a  young 
negro  slave.  He  officiates,  as  usual,  two  Sundays  at 
Hempstead  and  the  third  at  Oysterbay.  At  Hemp- 
stead he  has  a  large  congregation,  when  weather  per- 
mits, the  larger  part  of  his  flock  living  a  great  way 
from  the  church,  many  of  them  twelve  or  thirteen 
miles ;  but  at  Oysterbay  he  meets  not  with  the  same 
encouragement,  owing,  as  he  supposes,  to  the  want 
of  a  resident  missionary  among  them." 

Towards  the  close  of  this  year  Mrs.  Jenney  died, 
aged  64  years,  and  was  buried  in  the  churchyard ; 
one  of  the  first  interments  after  the  ground  was 
given  to  the  church  for  a  burying-ground.  The  in- 
scription on  her  tombstone  is : 

*'  Here  lyes  the  body  of 
Sarah,  Wife  of  Robert  Jenney, 
Rector  of  St.  George's  Church,  Hempstead; 

who  departed  this  life  on 

Christmas  Day,  1738." 


yb  St   George  s  Church. 

"1740,  April  21. — Mr.  Jenney  writes  that  he  pro- 
ceeds carefully  in  his  duty,  and  has  a  very  encourag- 
ing congregation.  He  has  baptized  within  the  half 
year  twenty  persons,  of  .whom  two  are  adults  and  ten 
negro  children.  He  recommends  and  transmits  a 
•petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Hempstead,  that  Mr. 
Thomas  Temple  be  appointed  schoolrriaster  there  in 
place  of  Mr.  Gildersleeve,  deceased.  Mr.  Temple  is 
well  qualified,  and  has  taught  school  many  years  in 
ithe  neighborhood,  with  a  good  character." 

In  1 74 1,  Mr.  Jenney  visited  England.  This  fact 
is  not  directly  noted  in  the  Church  records,  but  is 
incidentally  referred  to.  On  Aug.  11,  1741,  he  is 
recorded  as  presiding  at  a  Vestry  Meeting.  In  the 
next  month  his  absence  is  thus  mentioned  :  "  Att  a 
meeting  of  the  Church  Wardens  and  Vestry  (in  ye 
absence  of  Rector)  on  Tuesday,  the  twenty-ninth 
day  of  September,  Anno  Dom.  1741,"  &c.  From 
which  it  appears  that  Mr.  Jenney's  departure  was 
between  August  11,  and  September  29. 

The  next  notice  the  record  gives  us  of  his  absence 
occurs  in  the  following  letter,  of  October  27,  1 741, 
addressed  by  the  Vestry  to  the  Secretary  of  the  So- 
ciety for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign 
Parts,  referring  to  a  letter  from  Mr.  Jenney,  "  with 
thanks  to  them  for  appointing  Mr.  Thomas  Temple 
schoolmaster  of  Hempstead,  and  recommending  our 
Rector  Mr.  Jenney  to  the  favour  of  the  Society." 

"  Hempstead,  Long  Is/ajid,  October  27,  1741. 
**  Revd.    Sir: — Wee    the    Church    Wardens    and 
Vestrymen  of  St.  George's  Church  in  the  Parish  of 

*  Church   Record,  p.  32. 


Rev.  Robert  Jeniiey.  Jt 

Hempstead  in  Queens  County,  being  lately  Informed' 
by  a  letter  from  the  Reverend  Mr.  Jenneyour  Rector 
that  the  Honble.  Society  have  been  pleased  to  appoint 
Mr.  Temple  our  School  master  in  the  room  of  Mr. 
Gildcrsleeve,  Deceased,  Wee  embrace  this  first  op- 
portunity to  return  our  most  humble  and  grateful 
acknowledgment  to  that  Venerable  Body  for  that  and 
all  other  their  favours,  and  at  the  same  time  assure 
them  wee  will  use  our  best  endeavours  to  encourage 
and  promote  their  pious  designs  toward  us.  And  as 
our  worthy  Minister  has  lately  Imbarked  for,  and  we 
hope  will  shortly  arrive  in  England,  so  we  humbly 
crave  leave  to  Recommend  him  to  the  Honble.  So- 
ciety as  a  Gentleman  truly  worthy  the  continuance  of 
their  favour  and  countenance,  he  having  hitherto 
faithfully  and  conscientiously  discharged  his  Mission 
to  the  General  Satisfaction  and  approbation  of  all  his 
hearers,  and  has  not  only  preached  Sound  Doctrine, 
but  also  enforced  the  practice  thereof  by  the  example 
of  a  good  Life  and  Conversation,  which,  with  his  hos- 
pitable and  generous  Temper,  has  so  endeared  him 
to  us  all  that  we  desire  nothing  more  than  his  return, 
as  soon  as  his  affairs  and  the  Honble.  Society  shall 
permit ;  in  the  mean  time  care  is  taken  by  the  Gentle- 
men of  the  neighbouring  parishes  to  supply  his  cure 
and  to  Perform  Divine  Service  in  their  turns,  for 
which  we  are  thankful,  and  remain  with  our  humble 
Duty  to  the  Honble.  Society.     Rev'd  Sir, 

Your  most  humble  Serv'ts." 

This  was  a  gratifying  attestation  to  Mr.  Jenney's 
faithfulness  aiid  usefulness.  But  the  Vestry's  desire 
for  his  continuance  among  them  was  not  to  be  grati- 
fied. In  April,  174 1,  there  had  died  in  Philadelphia 
the  Rev.  Archibald  Cummings,  the  Rector  of  Christ 
Church,  Philadelphia,  who  also  held  the  office  of  Com- 


72  S^.   George  s  Church, 

missioner  for  the  Bishop  of  London  of  the  churches 
in  Pennsylvania :  an  office  in  which  the  holder  acted 
as  a  kind  of  supervisor  or  archdeacon,  and  the 
mouthpiece  of  the  Bishop  of  London,  to  whom  the 
care  of  the  churches  in  North  America  was  confided, 
as  being,  in  some  sort,  a  part  of  his  diocese.  Mr. 
Jenney  desired  to  be  appointed  to  the  church  which 
was  rendered  vacant  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cummings' 
death.  Earnest  efforts  were  made  by  some  of  the 
members  of  that  church  to  have  the  Rev.  Richard 
Peters  made  its  rector,  and  petitions  to  this  effect 
were  forv/arded  to  England.  Mr.  Jenney  being  in 
England,  and  having  made  a  favorable  impression 
•upon  the  authorities  there,  his  application  was  most 
effective.  The  result  is  declared  in  the  following  cor- 
respondence :"* 

"  To  the  Vestry  of  Christ  Churchy  Philadelphia, 

"Gentlemen — I  take  the  opportunity  by  Captain 
Wright,  to  acquaint  you  that  some  of  your  friends 
and  mine,  have  desired  me  to  go  to  Philadelphia,  in 
order  to  settle  there  as  minister  of  the  Church,  if  your 
congregation  and  I  can  agree  upon  the  matter ;  for  I 
think  no  such  thing  can  be  done  without  a  full  agree- 
ment of  both  parties.  To  facilitate  the  affair,  I  have 
obtained  my  Lord  of  London's  license,  and  a  letter 
from  him  to  you,  not  by  way  of  appointment,  but 
recommendation,  or  rather  his  approbation  of  it.  I 
am  to  go  over  in  the  Lancaster  man  of  war,.  Captain 
Warren,  along  with  the  governor  of  New  York, 
Captain  Clinton.  We  are  to  sail  in  May,  and  hope 
to  arrive  in  July.  If  we  can  bring  all  things  to  bear 
so  that  I  shall  remain  with  you,  I  do  not  in  the  least 

*  Dorr's  Hist.  Christ  Church,  pp.  76-78» 


Rev.  Robert  yenney,  73 

doubt  our  living  agreeably  together.  It  shall  be  my 
study  to  do  my  part,  being  resolved  to  approve  my- 
self in  all  things  your  affectionate  friend  and  servant, 

*'  Robert  Jenney. 
"London,  April  12,  1742." 

In  reply  to  this  letter  the  Vestry  of  Christ  Church 
directed  a  letter  to  be  sent  to  New  York  to  meet  Mr. 
Jenney  on  his  arrival  in  that  city,  expressing  their 
desire  to  receive  him  as  their  minister. 

"  Oct.  20. — The  Vestry  again  met,  when  the  fol- 
lowing letters  from  Mr.  Jenney  and  the  Bishop  of 
London  were  laid  before  tliem : 

"New  York,  October  12,  1742. 

"  Gentlemen  :  Having  arrived  yesterday,  I  re- 
ceived your  kind  letter  of  the  8th  of  July,  signifying 
your  ready  compliance  with  my  Lord  of  London's 
Hcense  to  me  to  be  minister  to  your  congregation  ; 
and  professing  your  hope  that  by  our  joint  endeavors 
in  the  discharge  of  our  respective  duties  and  obliga- 
tions to  each  other,  we  may,  by  the  blessing  of  God, 
live  together  in  that  peaceable  harmony  which  be- 
comes true  members  of  the  Church  of  England.  I 
thank  you  heartily  for  the  first,  and  make  no  doubt 
of  the  other,  since  I  am  fully  resolved,  by  the  grace 
of  God,  if  we  come  together,  to  do  my  part  toward 
it,  and  make  no  question  of  the  congregation  doing 
theirs. 

"  But  whereas  I  am  credibly  informed  that  there 
are  divisions  amongst  you,  and  that  some  oppose  my 
settlement  there ;  afid  considering  that  I  am  easy  in 
my  parish  at  Hempstead,  and  am  indulged  by  my 
superiors  in  the  liberty  of  choosing  in  which  place  to 
settle,  I  must  beg  the  favor  to  be  informed  how  that 
affair  stands,  and  withal  whether  I  may  depend  on 
being  instated  in  the  same  rights  and  privileges  which 
4 


74  ^^-   George's  Church. 

the  late  Mr.  Cummings  enjoyed  ;  without  which  I 
cannot  think  of  removing  from  Hempstead.  I  send 
enclosed  my  Lord  of  London's  let<:cr,  and  am, 

"  Your  most  humble  servant, 

*'  Robert  Jenney. 
"  Directed  to  William  Pyewell  and  John  Ross^ 

"  Church  Wardens  of  Philadelphia. 

"Whitehall,  March  29,  1742. 

"  Gentlemen — I  have  waited  a  good  while  in 
hopes  of  hearing  that  the  differences  among  yourselves 
about  a  new  minister  were  adjusted,  and  that  you  had 
unanimously  agreed  in  recommending  some  worthy^ 
person  to  be  licensed  by  me,  or  in  desiring  me  to  send 
such  an  one  from  hence.  It  could  not  be  supposed 
that  I  should  send  any  person  who  had  no  other  con- 
cern in  the'  plantations,  under  an  uncertainty  whether 
he  would  be  received  or  not ;  but  as  the  bearer,  Mr. 
Jenney,  is  and  has  long  been  a  missionary  from  the 
Society  here,  to  a  cure  in  the  province  of  New  York, 
and  is  a  person  whom  I  believe  to  be  exceedingly  well 
qualified  in  all  respects  to  succeed  your  late  worthy 
minister,  Mr.  Cummings ;  I  was  willing  upon  his  re« 
turn  from  hence  to  his  cure  in  New  York,  to  grant 
him  a  provisional  license  to  your  church,  on  suppo- 
sition that  he  would  be  received  there  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  might  encourage  him  to  quit  his  present  mission 
and  remove  to  Philadelphia. 

"  I  have  nothing  in  view  but  the  peace  and  welfare 

of  your  church,  and  earnestly  recommend  it  to  you  all 

to  pursue  the  same  good  end.     I  pray  for  the  divine 

blessing  upon  you  and  your  proceedings,  and  remain^ 

"Your  assured  friend, 

"  Edmund  (Gibson)  London'' 

"  For  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Vestry  of  Philadelphia.*^ 

"The  above   having  been   read,  it  was   Ordered^ 
that  the  Wardens  forthwith  return  an  answer  to  Mr, 


Rev.  Robert  Jenney.  75 

Jenney's  letter,  and  invite  him  hither,  under  the  same 
jprivileges  and  advantages  allowed  the  late  reverend 
Mr.  Cummings,  and  request  Mr.  Jenney  to  accept  and 
approve  of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Enos  Ross  to  be  his 
assistant  in  this  church." 

"  Dr.  Jenney  promptly  accepted  this  invitation,  and 
at  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  Nov.  8th,  he  produced  a 
license,  from  the  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  appointing 
Jiim  minister  of  this  church." 

On  accepting  the  cliarge  of  Christ  Church,  Philadel- 
phia, Mr.  Jenney  formally  resigned  St.  George's, 
Hempstead.  The  resignation  was  accepted,  and  the 
following  certificate  of  the  resignation  was  entered 
upon  the  records  of  St.  George's  Church  : 

''^Y.sN  YO'^Y.,  December  Jth,  \J^2, 
"  These  are  to  Certify  whom  it  may  concern,  that 
on  Fryday  the  Twenty-Sixth  of  November  last,  I  did 
make  a  Resignation  of  the  parish  of  Hempstead  to  the 
Church-Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  ye  parish  and 
also  to  those  of  the  Corporation  met  together  at  the 
house  of  Gerhadus  Clowes  at  Hempstead,  which  Re- 
signation they  accepted  off  and  I  do  hereby  acknow- 
ledge Confirm  and  Stand  by.     Witness  my  hand, 

Rob't  Jenney." 
"  Witnesses, 

Will'm  Vesey, 
Rich'd  Charlton."^ 

Thus  was  dissolved  that  pastoral  connection  be- 
tween Dr.  Jenney  and  St.  George's  parish,  which  had 
existed  for  seventeen  years.  In  his  new  sphere.  Dr. 
Jenney  continued  until  his  death,  in  1762.  In  that 
enlarged  field  of  action  he  was  efficient  and  accept- 

*Jlecords,  p.  34. 


*]6  SL  Georges  Church, 

able.  He  was  a  vigorous  writer ;  sometimes,  perhaps, 
inclined  to  severity  of  expression  in  defending  his 
views.  His  executive  ability  was  considerable.  His 
accurate  learning  and  weight  of  character  gave  him 
wide  influence.  He  took  a  prominent  part  in  all  the 
efforts  which  were  made  in  his  time  to  extend  the 
ministrations  of  the  Cliurch  to  destitute  places,  and  to 
defend  the  claims  of  the  Church  as  scriptural  and 
Apostolic  in  her  creeds  and  usages.  We  find  his 
name  associated  with  the  principal  clergy  of  the  coun- 
try, as  appended  to  sundry  documents  addressed  by 
them  to  the  civil  rulers  and  ecclesiastical  authorities, 
respecting  sundry  matters  of  current  interest.  At  the 
meeting  of  the  clergy  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1760,.  met 
to  organize  as  a  permanent  body,  he  was  invited  to 
preside ;  but  the  infirmities  of  age,  aggravated  by  a 
stroke  of  palsy,''"  compelled  him  to  decline  the  honor. 
He  had  as  his  assistant  in  Christ  Church  the  Rev.  Ja- 
cob Douchl%  renowned  as  the  clergyman  who  acted 
as  chaplain  to  the  first  American  Congress. 

The  degree  of  LL.D.  was  conferred  upon  Mr. 
Jenney  by  the  College  of  Philadelphia,  which  was 
afterwards  merged  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  sermon  at  Dr.  Jenney's  funeral  was  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Smith,  Provost  of  the  Col- 
lege of  Philadelphia,  and  his  remains  were  interred 
beneath  the  aisle  of  Christ  Church,  immediately  in 
front  of  the  chancel.  In  Dr.  Smith's  discourse  he  says 
of  Dr.  Jenney :  '*  He  was  a  man  venerable  in  years, 
and  a  striking  pattern  of  Christian  resignation  under 
a  long  and  severe  illness.     He  was  a  man  of  strict 

*Penn.  Ch.  Doc,  p.  295. 


Rev.    Robert   Jenney,  77 

honesty,  one  that  hated  dissimulation  and  a  lie  ;  ex- 
emplary in  his  life  and  morals,  and  a  most  zealous 
member  of  our  Episcopal  Church." 

This  testimony  is  the  more  weighty  from  the  fact  that 
Dr.  Jenney  had  opposed  some  projects  of  Dr.  Smith. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Dorr,  in  his  History  of  Christ  Church, 
gives  the  following  as  the  inscription — some  parts  of 
which  are  almost  obliterated — on  Dr.  Jenney's  tomb- 
stone."^ 

ROBERT    JENNEY,     LL.D., 

*     *     Col.  S.  S.  Trinitat.  Dublin  Studit  Alumnus, 
Obiit  die  V.  Mensis  Januar.  Anno  Salut.  MDCCLXIL 
^t.  LXXV. 
Age  Lector, 
Purae  Religionis,  honesta  veritatis,  benevolentissime, 
Exemplum  velis, 
Hunc  Christianae  Fidei  vindicem,  Probilatis  Cultorem, 
Benevolentia  Studia, 
Respice,  sequere,  imitare. 
Juxta  Hoc  etiam  marmor,  sepulta  jacet 
Joanna  Elizabetha,  prcedicti  Roberti  Jenny,  conjux, 
Quse  sex  tantummodo  dies  post  mariti  sepulturam, 
Obiit,  anno  aetatis  suae  LXIV. 

Of  whicli  the  following  is  a  free  translation  : 

ROBERT    JENNEY,     LL.D., 

An  alumnus  of  Trmity  College,  Dublin, 

Died  on  the  5th  day  of  January,  A.  D.  1762, 

Aged  75. 

Attend,  Gentle  Reader. 

Should  you  wish  an  Example  of  Pure  Religion,  honest  truth,-- 

Regard,  —  Follow, — Emulate, 

This  Champion  of  the  Christian  Faith,  this  teacher  of  moral  rectitude, 

In  his  benevolent  zeal. 

Also  near  this  marble  lies  buried 

Jane  Elisabeth,  wife  of  the  before-mentioned  Robert  Jenney, 

Who  died  only  six  days  after  the  burial  of  her  husband, 

In  the  64ih  year  of  her  age. 


*  Penn.  Doc.  Hist.,  p.  274. 


78  6*/.   George's  Church, 

Dr.  Jenney  left  no  children  by  either  of  his  wives^ 
Before  we  close  this  sketch  of  the  parish  during 
the  Rectorship  of  Dr.  Jenney,  we  should  state  that 
about  the  year  1739,  the  first  recorded  bequest  was 
made  to  the  parish.  The  honor  of  this  primacy  be- 
longs  to  John  March,  Esq.,  who,  Mr.  Jenney  has 
told  us  in  his  letter  of  July  30,  1735,  was  from  Jamai- 
ca, W.  I.,  who  spent  his  summers  in  this  town  for 
the  recovery  of  his  health.  He  left  to  the  parish  the 
sum  of  ;^ioo,  which  was  expended  by  the  Vestry  in 
having  the  churchyard  put  in  order,  the  purchase  of 
a  bell,  and  repairing  the  parsonage.  He  had  pre- 
viously showed  his  generous  devotion  to  the  church 
by  the  gift  of  the  silver  alms  basin,  on  the  rim  of 
which  is  this  inscription:  "The  gift  of  Mr.  Joha 
March,  to  St.  George's  Church,  in  Hempstead,  1735/'' 
We  do  not  know  whether  any  tombstone  marks 
the  place  of  Mr.  March's  burial ;  but  by  these  gifts  he- 
secured  a  memorial  more  enduring  than  any  marble 
could  be.  Many  a  one  who  has  been  connected 
with  the  parish  since,  and  had  abundant  means^ 
would  have  done  a  wise  thing  for  their  memories  if 
they  had  followed  Mr.  March's  example. 


CHAPTER     III. 

1742 — 1764. 

THE  REV.  DR.  JENNEY,  having  received  and 
accepted  an  invitation  in  October,  1742,  to  take 
the  Rectorship  of  Christ  Church,  Philadelphia,  re- 
signed St.  George's  Parish.  His  resignation  termin- 
ated a  connection  which  had  profitably  continued  for 
seventeen  years.  During  this  time  the  Parish  made 
large  and  substantial  gains. 

Nearly  all  the  years  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas'  rec- 
torship were  employed  in  diminishing  "  inveterate 
prejudices "  against  the  Church.  He  had  so  well 
succeeded,  that  when  Dr.  Jenney  came  upon  the 
ground,  the  Church  had  got  beyond  the  point  of  ask- 
ing mere  toleration,  and  of  seeming  to  continue  her 
work  only  by  sufferance.  Her  excellencies  had  begun 
to  be  seen,  and  her  righteous  claims  to  be  admitted. 
And  Dr.  Jenney  had  promptly  proceeded  to  have  her 
position  established  by  obtaining  from  the  town  a  gift 
of  the  property  which  it  had  set  apart  for  religious 
purposes  ;  and  perpetuated  the  transference  by  the 
Charter,  which  secured  to  the  parish  a  corporate  exist- 
ence 


8o  St   Georges  Church, 

The  Vestry  proceeded  at  once  to  fill  the  vacancy 
thus  made,  by  calling  to  the  Rectorship  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Seabury,  from  the  Mission  at  New  London^ 
Connecticut,  and  they  addressed  the  following  peti- 
tion to  Lt.  Governor  Clarke  to  ratify  their  call  :^ 

"  By  the  Church  Wardens  and.  Vestrymen  of  the 
Parish  of  Hempstead,  in  Queens  County,  within  the 
Colony  of  New  York,  in  America : 

"  Whereas,  the  Reverend  Doctor  Robert  Jenney^ 
who  had  officiated  as  Minister  of  the  aforesaid  parish, 
nearly  for  the  Term  of  Seventeen  years,  has  lately^ 
voluntarily  Resigned  and  Released  unto  us  (in  whom 
the  Calling  and  presenting  a  good,  Sufficient,  Protes- 
tant Minister,  to  officiate  and  have  the  care  of  souls  in 
the  said  Parish  of  Hempstead,  does  of  Right  belong 
upon  any  avoidance)  all  his  Right  to  the  said  parish 
as  minister  thereof  Wee,  thereforej  pursuant  to  the 
powers  in  us  residing,  by  virtue  of  an  Act  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  this  Colony,  entitled,  An  Act  for 
setling  a  Ministry,  and  raising  a  Maintainance  for 
them  in  the  City  of  New  York,  County  of  Richmond,. 
Westchester  and  Queens  County,  and  one  other  Act 
made  by  the  said  General  Assembly,  for  the  better 
explaining  and  more  effectual  puting  in  Execution 
the  aforesaid  Act,  Do  by  these  Presents  Call  and  Pre- 
sent the  Reverend  Mr.  Samuel  Seabury,  Clerk,  to  be 
Minister  of  the  said  Parish  of  Hempstead.  And  we 
do  humbly  pray,  that  His  Honour  the  Lieutenant 
Governor  of  this  Colony,  or  the  Commander-in-Chief" 
for  the  time  being,  will  be  pleased  to  cause  the  said 
Mr.  Samuel  Seabury  to  be  Inducted  to  the  Parish. 
Church  of  the  said  Parish  of  Hempstead,  with  all  and 
singular,  the  Rights,  privileges  and  appurtenances  to- 
the  same   belonging   or   in  any  ways  Appertaining.. 

*  Ch.  Records,  p.  34. 


Rev.  Samuel  Seabtiry,  8r 

In  Testimony  whereof  we  have  hereunto  put  our 
hands  and  seals  at  Hempstead  aforesaid,  this  fifth 
day  of  December,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  Christ, 
Seventeen  hundred  and  forty-two. — John  Borland, 
Samuel  Manone,  Church  Wardens.  Jacob  Smith, 
John  Cornel,  Jr.,  Joseph  Halstead,  Wright  Frost, 
George  Weeks,  Peter  Luister,  John  Birdsal,  Jeremiah 
Bedell,  i  the  mark  of  James  Pine,  Vestrymen."* 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury,  with  the  approbation  of  the 
Venerable  Society,  accepted  the  call  to  Hempstead, 
and  the  Lieutenant  Governor  granted  the  petition  of 
the  Vestry,  as  the  following  papers  show  : 

"  George  Clarke,  Esq. — His  Majesty's  Lieutenant 
Governour  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Proj/ince 
of  New  York,  and  the  Territories  thereon  depending 
in  America  : 

''To  all  and  singular  the  Rectors,  Vicars,  Chaplains 
•or  parish  ministers,  Curates,  clerks  and  ministers  what- 
soever in  or  through  the  said  Province,  or  any  of  you 
Constituted,  Inducted  or  appointed — or  to  John  Dor- 
land  or  Samuel  Manoonf  the  present  Church  War- 
dens of  the  Parochial  Church  of  Hempstead  in  Queens 
county,  and  to  the  members  of  the  Vestry  of  the  said 
Church,  Greeting: 

"  Whereas  the  said  parochial  Church  of  Hemp- 
stead aforesaid  is  now  become  vacant  by  the  resig- 
nation of  the  Reverend  Doctor  Robert  Jenney, 
late  Curate  or  Rector  thereof,  and  the  Rever- 
end Mr.  Samuel  Seabury  having  been,  at  the  request 
of  the  Church  Wardens  and  Vestry  of  the  said  Rectory 
or  Parochial  Church  aforesaid,  represented  unto  me  as 

*  The  names  of  some  of  this  Vestry  are  new.  There  is  no  record  of 
their  election,  and  at  the  next  annual  meeting,  several  changes  in  the 
^oard  were  made. 

f  Probably  Marvin. 


82  S^.   Georres  Church, 

a  person  they  desired  to  be  Inducted  and  appointed 
as  the  Rector  or  Parish  minister  for  the  said  Church. 
— I  Tiierefore  Commit  unto  you  the  ministers  afore- 
said, or  Church  Wardens  of  the  said  parochial  Church, 
hereb)^  firmly  injoyning  and  Commanding  that  you 
Induct  or  cause  to  be  Legally  Inducted  the  said  Sam- 
uel Seabury  into  the  parish  Church  aforesaid,  and  into 
all  the  glebe  Lands  now  or  at  any  time  heretofore  ap- 
propriated or  set  apart  for  the  use  of  the  said  Church, 
and  into  the  actual,  Real  and  Corporeal  possession  of 
the  same.  And  him  so  Inducted  you  shall  Maintain 
and  Defend. — And  what  you  shall  do  in  the  premisses 
you  shall  Certifye  to  me  or  to  some  other  Competent 
Judge  in  this  Behalf,  when  you  shall  be  thereunto 
reasonably  required,  or  any  one  of  you  who  shall  be 
present  at  the  execution  of  this  Mandate. 

"  Given  under  my  hand,  and  tiie  prerogative  Seal 
of  the  said  Province,  the  Seventh  day  of  December,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  Tliousand  Seven  hundred 
and  forty-two. 

''  George  Clarke, 

By  His  Hon's  Command. 

*'  Geo.  Jos.  Moore,  Defy  Sec'ry:' 

On  the  loth  of  December  this  precept  of  induction 
was  carried  into  effect  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Colgan  of  Ja- 
maica, as  the  following  certificate  attests."^ 

"  This  is  to  Certifye,  all  whom  it  may  Concern, 
That  on  the  tenth  day  of  December,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  Christ  Seventeen  hundred  and  forty-two,  at 
Hempstead  in  Queens  County,  upon  the  Island  of 
Nassau,  commonly  called  Long  Island,  in  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  York — I  Thomas  Colgan,  Clerk  and  Rec- 
tor of  the  parish  of  Jamaica  in  the  said  County,  by 
virtue  of  the  within  Mandate  from  the  Hon'ble  George 

*  Records,  p.  37. 


Rev.   Samuel  Seabury,  83 

Clarke,  Esqr.,  Lieu't.  Gouvernour  of  said  Province, 
did  Induct  the  Rev'd  Mr.  Samuel  Seabury  Clerk  into 
the  Real,  personal  and  actual  possession  of  the  Parish 
Church  of  Hempstead  aforesaid,  of  all  the  Rights, 
Glebes  and  Rectory  thereunto  belonging.  In  Wit- 
ness whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand,  the  day 
and  date  above  written. 

''  Thos.  Colgan. 
"  Present,  VVill'm  Cornell,  Micah  Smith, 
Robert  Marvin,  Adam  Lawrence.'* 

With  this  formality  of  Induction,  Mr.  Seabury's  in- 
vestiture with  all  the  privileges  and  rights  of  the  Rec- 
torship was  not  yet  complete.  There  was  a  further 
act  of**  Declaration,"  as  it  was  termed,  which  was 
required,  by  act  of  Parliament  14th  of  Charles  II.  to 
be  made  by  a  minister  within  two  months  after  enter- 
ing into  actual  possession  of  a  Parish. 

Mr.  Seabury  having  left  some  matters  unarranged 
at  New  London,  received  permission  from  Governor 
Clarke  to  defer  compliance  with  the  requisition  until 
he  returned  from  attending  to  them;  and  on  Febru- 
ary 13th,  1743,  he  proceeded  to  fulfill  this  duty  as  the 
following  certificate  attests :  • 

"  Wee  the  Subscribers,  Do  hereby  Certifye  That 
Samuel  Seabury,  Rector  of  the  Parish  of  Hempstead, 
in  Queens  County,  upon  the  Island  of  Nassau,  com- 
monly called  Long  Island,  in  the  Province  of  New 
York,  on  the  thirteenth  day  of  February,  1742, 
[1743],  being  the  Lord's  Day,  did  Read  in  his  parish 
church  aforesaid — Openly,  Publicly  and  Solemnly,  the 
Morning  and  Evening  Prayer,  appointed  to  be  read 
by  and  according  to  the  book,  entitled  the  Book  of 
Common  Prayer,  &c.,  att  the  time  thereby  appointed, 
and  Did  Openly  and  Publicly  before  the  Congrega- 


§4  >S^'   George  s  Chtirch. 

tion  then  assembled,  Declare  his  unfeigned  assent 
and  consent  to  all  and  every  thing  contained  and  pre- 
scribed therein,  according  to  this  form,  viz. :  *  I, 
Samuel  Seabury,  do  Declare  my  unfeigned  assent 
and  consent  to  all  and  every  thing  Contained  and 
prescribed  in  and  by  the  Book  Intitled  the  Book  of 
Common  Prayer  and  Administration  of  the  Sacra- 
ments, and  the  other  Rites  and  Ceremonies  of  the 
Church  according  to  the  use  of  the  Church  of  England,, 
together  with  the  Psaltre  and  Psalms  of  David, 
pointed  as  they  are  to  be  Sung  or  Said  in  Churches, 
and  the  Form  and  manner  of  making,  ordaining  and 
consecrating  of  Bishops,  Priests,  and  Deacons  ;'  and 
these  things  we  promise  to  testifie  upon  our  Corporal 
Oaths,  if  at  any  time  we  shall  be  duly  called  there- 
unto. In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereto  set  our 
hands  this  thirteenth  Day  of  February,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord,  1742-3. 

"  Benjn.  Tredwell, 
Jacob  Smith, 
MicAH  Smith." 

The  translation  of  Mr.  Seabury  from  New  London 
to  Hempstead,  was  regarded  with  interest  by  the 
friends  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  considered  as 
very  favorable  to  her  welfare,  as  will  be  seen  in  the 
following  extract  from  the  proceedings  of  the  Vener- 
able Society  for  1742-3  :*  "  Mr.  Commissary  Vesey 
acquaints  the  Society  that  the  Church  Wardens  and 
Vestry  of  Hempstead  hath  called  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sea- 
bury of  New  London ;  and  Mr.  S.  hath  accepted  the 
call  on  condition  that  it  be  approved  by  the  Society, 
which  Mr.  Vesey  earnestly  beseeches  them  to  do,  as 
what  will  very    much   contribute  to  the  peace  and 

*  Abstract,  p.  45. 


Rev,    Samite  I    Sea  bury.  85: 

edification  of  the  good  people  of  Hempstead.  And 
upon  this  recommendation,  joined  to  the  humble 
petition  of  the  Church  Wardens  and  Vestry  of  Hemp- 
stead, and  of  Mr.  Seabury,  hath  consented,  &c." 

Anderson  says  '^ — *'  The  success  which  attended' 
Mr.  Seabury's  labors  in  New  London,  led  to  his  ap- 
pointment to  the  more  important  sphere  of  duty  at 
Hempstead,  Long  Island,  Avhen  Dr.  Jenney  was  re- 
moved thence  to  Philadelphia,  in  1742.  The  like 
success  waited  upon  him  there  ;  and  at  Hempstead^ 
Oyster  Bay,  and  Huntington,  congregations  increas- 
ing in  numbers  and  continuing  for  the  most  part  stead- 
fast amid  the  wildest  outbreaks  of  religious  enthusi- 
asm then  caused  by  many  of  Whitfield's  followers^ 
bore  witness  to  its  enduring  character." 

The  Vestry  of  this  parish  expressed  their  gratifica- 
tion for  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Seabury  by  the  Ven- 
erable Society,  by  the  following  action  :t 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Rector,  Church  Wardens, 
and  Vestrymen  of  St.  George's  Church,  in  Hemp- 
stead, at  the  house  of  Geradus  Clowes,  of  Hempstead,, 
on  Friday,  the  21st  of  October,  Anno  Domini,  1743  : 

"  Agreed — That  a  letter  of  thanks  be  sent  the 
Honorable  Society  from  this  Vestry  for  their  favour 
in  appointing  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Seabury  to  be 
Missionary  to  this  our  Church  of  St.  George  afore- 
said, at  which  meeting  the  members  pi'eseiit  wei*e  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Seabury,  Rector,  Coll.  Cornell  and  Justice 
Micah  Smith,  Ch.  Wardens;  Mr.  Jacob  Smith,  Mr. 
Robert  Mervin  and  Mr.  Richard  Thorn,  Vestrymen :" 

The  following  letter  was  sent  accordingly : 

*  Church  of  England  in  the  Colonies,  V.  3,  p.  426. 
t  Records,  pp.  39,  40. 


86  S^.   Georges  Church* 

"Hempstead,  Oct.  21,  1743. 

"Reverend  Sir: — We,  the  Church  Wardens 
and  Vestrymen  of  St.  George's  Church,  in  the  parish 
of  Hempstead,  beg  leave  to  approach  the  Venerable 
Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign 
Parts  with  our  most  hearty  thanks  for  the  repetition 
of  their  favour  to  our  Parish.  We  are  the  posterity 
of  those  who  long  ago  partook  of  the  benefit  of  your 
Charity,  and  we  hope  the  repeated  expressions  of 
your  Care  for  us,  will  be  considered  as  an  Obligation 
on  our  parish  in  general  to  make  a  good  improve- 
ment of  the  Same.  And  we  take  this  opportunity  to- 
assure  the  Honorable  Society  that  it  appears  the 
greatest  concern  of  our  present  Minister,  the  Rev» 
Mr.  Seabury,  that  we  may  improve  in  true  religion 
and  piety,  answerable  to  your  great  favour  to  us^ 
And  we  hope  the  Honorable  Society  will  be  pleased 
to  accept  the  tender  of  our  thanks  in  behalf  of  the 
parish  for  appointing  Mr.  Seabury  our  minister,  and 
believe  yt  we  will  endeavour  by  all  means  to  express 
our  reverence  to  the  Honorable  Society  by  our  most 
Kind  and  obliging  treatment  of  their  Missionary. 

^' We  are,  Revd.  Sir,  yours,  the  Venerable  Society's, 
most  obedient  and  most  humble  servants,  &c. 

"To  the  Revd.  Dr.  Bearcroft,  Secretary." 

Having  thus  related  the  steps  taken  in  connection 
with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury's  assuming  the  Rector- 
ship of  the  parish,  we  proceed  to  offer  some  account 
of  his  ancestry  and  history. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Seabury's  ancestors  were  of  Por- 
lake,  Devonshire,  Eng.  It  has  been  affirmed  that  the 
ancient  form  of  the  name  was'  Sedborough  or  Sea- 
berry.  He  was  born  in  Groton, — now  Ledyard — 
Conn.,  in  1706.  He  was  a  grandson  of  Samuel  Sea- 
bury, a  noted  physician  and  surgeon  of  Duxbury, 


Rev,   Samuel  Seabury.  87 

Mass.  The  father  of  Mr.  Seabury  was  a  man  of 
prominence  among  the  Congregationalists  of  New 
London,  and  held  the  office  of  a  deacon  among  them. 
He  appears  not  to  have  been  entirely  satisfied  with 
the  results  of  the  religious  excitement  which  had 
been  brought  about  by  the  teaching  of  Whitfield  and 
his  admirers.  It  is  related  that  on  one  occasion  he 
arose  in  his  seat  in  the  church,  and  interrupted  the 
noted    Mr.   Tennant,   who   was   preaching,  saying — 

**  Sir — You  are  continually  crying — *  Come  to  Christ,' 
— 'Come  to  Christ,'  'Bring  your  sins  to  Christ;'  But, 
sir,  you  do  not  tell  us  how  to  come  or  how  to  bring 
our  sins  to  Christ.  You  speak  as  if  they  were  to  be 
put  in  a  basket,  and  taken  somehow  to  Him.  Let 
us  have  instruction,  as  well  as  exhortation."* 

The  change  in  his  son's  Ciiurch  views  did  not,  ap- 
parently, alienate  the  deacon's  affection.  He  died 
aged  eighty-six  years,  Dec.  17,  1759,  while  on  a 
visit  to  his  son  at  Hempstead,  and  his  remains  were 
interred  in  St.  George's  churchyard. 

In  Mr.  Seabury's  early  manhood  he  officiated  as  a 
licensed  preacher  to  the  Congregationalists ;  but,  says 
.Sprague,t  was  never  Congregationally  ordained.  He 
married  Abigail  Mumford,  a  relative  of  his  Episcopal 
neighbor,  the  Rev.  Dr.  McSparran.  This  lady  was 
the  mother  of  Bishop  Seabury.      She  died  in  1731. 

In  1733  Mr.  Seabury  took  as  his  second  wife  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  Adam  Powell,  a  merchant  of  New- 
port, R.  I.,  and  a  granddaughter  of  Gabriel  Bernon. 
She  survived  her  husband  thirty-five  years  and  at- 


*  MSS.  of  Rev.  Dr.  Sam.  Seabury,  p.  6. 
+  Tpis.  Pulpil,  p.  149 


88  S^.   Georges  Church. 

tained  a  venerable  age,  dying  Feb.  6,  1799,  in  her 
87th  year.  She  was  buried  in  St.  George's  church- 
yard, by  the  side  of  her  husband. 

Mr.  Seabury's  grandmother  was  Ehzabeth  Alden 
— a  descendant  of  John  Alden,  who  is  said  to  have 
been  the  first  man  that  landed  on  Plymouth  Rock. 
Mr.  Seabury  was  thus,  remarks  Dr.  Hallam,^  the  de- 
scendant of  a  godly  seed,  the  heir  of  an  hereditary 
piety. 

Mr.  Seabury's  social  relations  with  Dr.  McSparran 
doubtless  contributed  towards  the  convictions  he  came 
to  entertain  concerning  the  divine  constitution  of  the 
ministry  and  the  Church.  For  Dr.  McSparran,  who 
was  Rector  of  the  Episcopal  Church  at  Narragansett 
(Tower  Hill)  R.  I.,  was  a  man  of  great  mental  ability 
and  influence.  And  Mr.  Seabury's  attention  had 
already  been  drawn  to  these  subjects  while  he  was  a 
member  of  Yale  College.  For  he  was  a  student  there 
at  that  memorable  period,  when  the  Congregational 
** standing  order"  were  astonished,  horrified,  and  in- 
tensely angered  by  the  announcement  of  Dr.  Cutler, 
the  President  of  the  College,  that  he  had  become  an 
Episcopalian.  In  the  bitter  strife  and  confusion  which 
arose  in  consequence  of  this  avowal,  Mr.  Seabury 
found  his  studies  interrupted,  and  therefore  transfer- 
red himself  to  Harvard  University,  where  he  gradu- 
ated in  1724. 

Being  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  Episcopal  or- 
dination to  a  vaHd  ministry,  he  determined  to  seek  it. 
With  this  purpose,  leaving  his  family,  he  took  passage 
for  England  in  die  spring  of  1730.     He  carried  with 

*  Quoted  by  Sprague,  p.  150. 


Rev.   Samuel  Seabury,  89* 

him  the  folio  whig  letter  of  commendation  from  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Timothy  Cutler,  of  Christ  Church,  Boston^ 
to  the  Secretary  of  the  Venerable  Society.  "^^ 

"Boston,  23  March,  1729-30. 
"  Sir — This  waits  upon  the  Society,  in  the  hands 
of  one  Mr.  Seabury,  a  person  who,  upon  true  and 
regular  conviction,  is  come  into  the  bosom  of  our  ex- 
cellent Church,  and  now  humbly  desires  a  Mission 
from  the  Society  in  her  service.  My  acquaintance 
with  him  is  earlier  than  my  own  Mission,  and  I  have 
had  further  opportunity  of  informing  myself  of  him 
from  the  Dissenters,  among  whom  he  has  preached, 
and  find  everything  in  favor  of  his  sobriety  and  good 
conduct,  for  which  reason  he  has  my  ardent  wishes 
of  success  in  the  affair,  and  my  intercession  for  him 
to  the  Society,  with  the  deepest  humility  and  respect 
due  from 

**  Their  and  your  obedient,  &c.,  &c. 

"Tim.  Cutler." 

Dr.  McSparran  also  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Society,  as  follows : 

"  Narragansett,  May  20,  1 730. 
"Rev.  Sir — Mr.  Samuel  Seabury,  at  whose  hands 
you  will  receive  this,  was  educated  at  the  seminaries 
of  learning  here,  and  did,  for  some  time,  preach  to 
the  Dissenters,  by  whom  he  is  well  reported  of  for  a 
virtuous  conversation.  He  has,  for  some  time  past, 
conformed  to  our  Church,  and,  manifesting  a  desire 
of  going  upon  the  Society's  Mission,  I  thought  it  be- 
came mc  to  encourage  a  person  of  his  merit  by  rec- 
ommending him  to  the  Society's  notice.  The  place 
of  his  birth  and  most  intimate  acquaintance  is  Groton, 
in    the    neighbourhood    of   New    London,    which    I 

*  His.  Coll.   Am.  Col.  Church,    Mass.,  p    256. 


90  6*/.   Georges  Church. 

thought  proper  to  observe,  in  hopes  that  it  might 
prove  an  inducement  to  determine  his  Mission  to  that 
place,  &c.  &c."* 

James  McSparran.*' 

The  application  for  orders  was  successful,  and  Mr. 
Seabury  was  ordained  Deacon,  and  shortly  afterwards,^ 
Priest,  probably  by  the  Bishop  of  London.  And  on 
the  2 1  St  of  August,  1730,  he  appeared  before  the 
Venerable  Society,  and,  after  due  examination  and 
enquiry,  was  appointed  a  Missionary  to  New  London,. 
Conn.  *  He  remained  in  England  a  few  months  after 
his  ordination.  On  the  30th  of  August,  1730,  he 
preached  in  St.  Michael's  Church,  Cornhill,  from 
I  Thess.  5:17:  "Pray  without  ceasing."  This  ser- 
mon, still  in  the  possession  of  his  descendants,  shows 
Mr.  S.  to  have  been  a  preacher  of  great  earnestness, 
directness  of  address,  a  devout  spirit,  and  an  excellent 
logician.  These  traits  are  manifested  perhaps  still 
more  forcibly  in  another  sermon,  preached  by  him  at 
this  period,  in  which  he  maintains  with  great  lucidity 
in  the  arrangement  and  statement  of  his  argument, 
that  the  use  of  a  Liturgy  and  prescribed  forms  of 
prayer,  are  both  Scriptural,  and  best  adapted  to  the 
spiritual  needs  of  men  in  public  worship. 

Returning  to  this  country  in  1732,  Mr.  Seabury 
commenced  his  labors  in  New  London,  as  the  first 
minister  of  St.  James'  Church,  where,  for  the  succeed- 
ing ten  years,  he  prosecuted  the  duties  of  his  caUing 
with  assiduity,  and  with  an  encouraging  degree  of 
success.     Before  leaving  New  London,  he  preached  at 

*  Ch.  Docu.  Conn.,  Hawkes  and  Perry,  p.  142. 


Rev,   Samuel  Seabury.  9.1 

sermon  which  was  "  Published  at  the  desire  of  some 
who  heard  it." 

The  few  productions  of  Mr.  Seabury's  pen  which 
have  been  preserved,  make  us  regret  that  he  had  not 
published  more.  They  show  that  he  was  a  man  of 
no  ordinary  mental  capacity.  He  took  hold  of  sub>- 
jects  with  a  firm  grasp,  and  treated  them  with  vigor- 
ous common  sense,  and  was  able  to  convey  the  im- 
pression that  he  was  thoroughly  convinced,  himself, 
of  those  things  of  which  he  sought  to  convince  others. 

The  materials  from  which  to  gain  a  just  compre- 
hension of  him  are  very  scanty.  Yet  it  is  evident 
from  even  the  little  we  have,  that  he  was  a  person  of 
superior  endowments.  It  is  the  misfortune  of  the 
Church  to  have  heard  so  little  about  him :  so  little, 
indeed,  that  to  this  day,  where  the  name  of  Samuel 
Seabury  is  mentioned,  it  is  by  many  persons  sup- 
posed his  son,  the  Bishop,  must  be  meant.  In  fact, 
the  conspicuous  figure  of  the  son,  has  really  cast  into 
the  shade  the  name  of  his  excellent  father.  Yet  those 
qualities  which  made  the  son  a  man  of  mark,  were 
inherited  from  his  father.  The  only  idea  we  have 
been  able  to  obtain  of  Mr.  Seabury's  personal  appear- 
ance was  from  the  recollections  of  an  aged  parish- 
ioner"^^ who  was  born  in  1 771,  seven  years  after  Mr. 
Seabury's  death;  and  himself  died  in  1863,  aged  92 
years.  He  remembered  the  description  given  of  Mr. 
Seabury  by  his  father.  *'  My  father  described  him 
to  me,  as,  seated  on  a  strong  sorrel  horse,  he  made 
his  way  to  Oyster  Bay  and  Huntington,  with  his 
saddle-bags  strapped  to  his  saddle.      He  was  strongl}^ 

♦  John  Bedel,  Esq.,  late  Senior  Warden. 


g2  S^.   Georges  Church. 

built,  but  not  tall,  and  he  had  a  countenance  which 
was  intelligent  and  kindly,  and  showed  decision  and 
firmness.  He  wore  a  three-cornered  hat,  and  small 
clothes  and  top  boots.  He  rode  well,  but  sometimes, 
he  could  not  make  the  journey  in  time  to  have 
service  and  return  the  same  day." 

At  the  time  Mr.  Seabury  became  the  minister  of 
Hempstead,  the  labors  and  influence  of  his  predeces- 
sors, Thomas  and  Jenney,  had  begun  to  bring  forth 
increasing  good  fruits,  a  recompense  to  their  devoted 
efforts.  Prejudices  and  enmities  had  nearly  expended 
themselves.  Most  of  the  inveterate  opposers  of  those 
good  men  and  of  Christ's  Holy  Church  had  died.  A 
more  tolerant  and  intelligent  generation  occupied 
their  places ;  and  the  services  of  the  Church  were  not 
only  accepted,  but  even  sought  after  in  all  directions. 

Mr.  Seabury,  who  evidently  possessed  a  most  vig- 
orous constitution,  endeavored  to  improve  every 
opening ;  and  the  church  records  show  that  his  min- 
istrations were  extended  to  all  parts  of  Queen's 
County  east  of  Jamaica,  to  Huntington,  and  also  to 
many  places  in  Westchester  and  Dutchess  Counties. 

The  parsonage,  built  in  1682,  being  in  a  ruinous 
state,  one  of  the  first  acts  of  the  Vestry  under  Mr. 
Seabury' s  ministration  was  to  take  proper  measures 
for  its  repair.  The  following  is  the  record  of  the 
proceedings  in  the  matter : 

"■  Whereas  the  Parsonage  house  in  Hempstead  is 
now  very  much  out  of  repair,  So  that  if  immediate 
care  is  not  Taken  thereof  great  part  of  it  will  be  inca- 
pable of  being  Inhabited  if  not  in  danger  of  falling 
Down.     We  therefore,  whose  names  are  here  under 


Rev,  Samuel  Seabury, 


93 


written,  Do  hereby  promise  and  Oblige  ourselves,  To 
pay  unto  such  person  or  persons  as  shall  be  nomin- 
ated and  appointed  by  the  Major  part  of  the  Vestry 
of  St.  George's  Church  to  receive  the  same  and  to 
manage  the  work,  the  respective  sums  of  money  here 
under  mentioned  against  our  several  and  respective 
names,  towards  the  re-building  of  the  said  parsonage 
house,  as  to  the  said  managers  in  their  Discretion 
shall  be  thought  fit.  In  witness  whereof  we  have 
hereunto  set  our  hands,  the  thirteenth  Day  of  March, 
Anno  Domini,  1743. 


£ 

s. 

d. 

£ 

s. 

d. 

John  Cornell 

6 

0 

0 

Jno.  WoUey 

I 

0 

0 

Richard  Thorn 

5 

0 

0 

S.  Pearsall 

0 

5 

0 

Rich'd  Cornell 

2 

0 

0 

Dan'l  Kissam 

I 

0 

0 

John  Smith 

3 

0 

0 

Jos.  Hewlett 

0 

5 

0 

John  Seeving 

2 

0 

0 

S.   Hewlett 

0 

5 

0 

R'd  Cornell 

0 

10 

0 

Jno.  Peters 

0 

10 

0 

Z.  Southward 

0 

5 

0 

R'd  Townsend 

0 

8 

0 

Benj.  Lester 

I 

0 

0 

R'd  Williams 

0 

10 

0 

Henry  Allen 

I 

4 

0 

R.  Marvin 

2 

10 

0 

Ben.  Treadwell 

5 

0 

0 

Cornl.  Cornell 

I 

4 

0 

Benj.  Hewlett 

0 

0 

Jacob  Smith 

3 

0 

0 

Jos.  Kissam 

2 

0 

0 

Thos.  Lee 

I 

0 

0 

Charles  Peters 

2 

0 

0 

Benj.  Cornell 

I 

0 

0 

Mrs.   Allyn 

I 

10 

0 

Peter  Smith,  Sr 

0 

10 

0 

James  Hewlett 

0 

10 

0 

J.  Sprung 

0 

5 

0 

Samuel  Searing 

0 

10 

0 

Jos.  Smith 

3 

0 

0 

Micah  Smith 

2 

0 

0 

Adam  Mott 

2 

10 

0 

Tim'y  Smith 

I 

0 

0 

Benj.  Lewis 

0 

5 

0 

Ino.  Mitchell 

0 

8 

0 

Wm.  Latham 

0 

3 

0 

James  Smith 

0 

10 

0 

Jos.  Valentine 

I 

0 

0 

John  Cornell 

I 

0 

0 

Uriah  Mitchell 

I 

0 

0 

Henry  Smith 

0 

8 

0 

Phil  Allyn 

I 

0 

0 

Jon.  Smith 

I 

0 

0 

Jno.  Townsend 

0 

5 

0 

Daniel  Pine 

3 

0 

0 

LeiTt.Hoc^ewou 

t  I 

10 

0 

94  >^^'   George's  Church, 

■"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Rector,  one  of  the  Church 
Wardens  and  Vestry  of  St.  George's  Church  in 
Hempstead,  at  the  house  of  G(eradus)  Clowes,  on 
Tuesday,  29  May,  1744: 

"  Agreed,  To  proceed  in  building  the  parsonage 
house,  in  hempstead,  this  present  year. 

''  Agreed,  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Seabury,  the 
church  warden  Micah  Smith,  and  Mr.  John  Borland, 
be  the  Managers  for  the  building  the  parsonage  house 
and  be  audiorized  to  receive  the  money  subscribed, 
in  a  subscription  for  that  purpose. 

'*  Dated  in  Hempstead,  the  13th  day  of  March, 
Anno  Domini,  1743." 

The  subscriptions  of  £66  \Qs  w^ere  apparently  not 
all  that  were  made  for  the  re-building.  And  it 
appears  that  the  amounts  obtained  were  not  quite  suf- 
ficient to  meet  the  outlay  required,  for : 

''  At  a  meeting  of  the  Rector,  Church  Wardens  and 
Vestrymen  of  St.  George's  Church,  in  Hempstead, 
the  25th  March,  1746: 

Present,  Mr.  Seabury,   Rector. 

Micah  Smith        )     ^j        ,     t-t^     j 

)■    CJmrcJi    Wardens, 


Richard  Thorne 
Joseph  Smith 
-Robert  Marv.in 
John  Dorland 
Leffert  Hauq-ewout 


'fc.' 


-  Vestrymen, 


**  Agreed,  That  Mr.  Richard  Thorne  (having  Dis- 
ibursed  and  paid  off  Sundry  persons  having  Demands 
■on  Account  of  Building  the  parsonage  house  in 
Hempstead,  and  has  also  undertaken  to  Discharge  all 
•other  Debts  which  are  due  on  that  account),  shall  be 
repaid  him  by  the  first  day  of  May  next,  and  if  there 
iiappen  to  be  any  unpaid  at  the  time,  from  thence, 


Rev,    Samuel   Seabury.   ■  95 

Lawful  Interest  shall  be  allowed  him  until  the  same 
be  Discharged,  and  that  if  any  money  be  paid  by  him- 
after  the  said  first  day  of  May  towards  the  said  par-- 
sonage,  the  same  shall  be  Remitted  to  him  in  manned 
aforesaid,  to  be  paid  in  equal  proportion  by  the 
Rector,  Church  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  present  at 
the  meeting  above  said."^'^ 

It  is  to  be  supposed  that  this  agreement  was  com^ 
prehended  by  the  parties  to  it,  though  its  language  is 
rather  ambiguous  to  us. 

Immediately  after  this  agreement  is  the  following 
entry,  by  another  hand: 

"  Majy  30,  1739. — Then  received  from  the  Rector, 
Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  Seven  pounds  fifteen, 
in  full  of  the  above  obligation. 

''  Richard  Thorne." 

"  1739,"  here  is  clearly  an  error  in  writing,  as  the 
undertaking  was  not  begun  until  1743. 

Mr.  Seabury  made  reports  regularly  to  the  Vener- 
able Society,  which  had  appointed  him  its  missionary. 
But  in  those  forwarded  by  him  during  the  first  two 
years  of  his  ministrations  in  Hempstead,  we  do  not 
find  any  statements  of  the  condition  of  the  Parish 
differing  from  those  which  had  been  already  given  by 
Dr.  Jenney.  But  the  following  extracts  from  his  com- 
munications to  the  Society  will  afford  an  interesting 
account  of  Mr.  Seabury's  experience  and  labors  in  the 
years  following.     In  1746,  he  thus  wrote  : 

"  The  people  have  imbibed  Quaker  notions,  and  are 
loth  to  come  to  the  sacrament.  I  had  two  new  com^ 
municants,    and    want    copies    of  the    *  Reasonable 

*  Church  Records,  p.  43. 


96  SL   George  s  Church, 

Communicant.'  I  have  baptized  many  adults  and  a 
vast  many  children  since  my  mission  at  Hempstead^ 
many  of  whom  are  grown  to  years  to  join  in  the 
public  worship.  It  is  a  genuine  work  of  charity  to 
give  them  prayer  books.  I  want  catechisms  with 
questions,  to  try  whether  the  catechumens  understand 
the  answers." 

''  The  sectaries  of  all  sorts  (who  abound  in  this 
parish)  and  professed  infidels  exert  themselves  to  the 
utmost  to  hinder  the  growth  of  the  Church  ;  and  the 
more  diligence  I  use,  the  more  the  infidels  particular- 
ly seem  to  be  inflamed,  yet  the  Church  manifestly 
gets  ground." 

The  following  is  the  first  reference  we  find  to  Mr» 
Seabury's  son  Samuel — afterward  the  Bishop  of  Con- 
necticut, and  who  at  the  time  of  his  father's  removal 
to  Hempstead  was  about  14  years  old. 

^^  September  30,  1748. — My  son  is  now  studying 
physic,  and  before  he  be  of  age  to  present  himself  to 
the  Society,  I  intend  he  shall  spend  one  or  two  years 
at  Edinboro'  in  the  study  of  physic.  I  wish  the 
Society  to  give  him  a  place  in  their  books,  and  grant 
what  Commissary  Vesey  may  recomm.end  in  regard 
to  Huntington.  He  is  not  yet  nineteen.  He  may 
be  employed  at  some  small  allowance,  as  I  presume 
to  hope  at  Huntington,  in  reading  prayers  and  ser- 
mons, and  in  catechising,  to  good  purpose,  before  he 
will  be  of  age  for  Holy  Orders." 

Enlarged  accommodations  for  an  increasing  con- 
gregation being  necessary,  an  additional  gallery  was 
built  in  1753.  The  following  being  the  subscribers 
for  the  necessary  outlay  : 


Rev.  Samuel  Seabury,  97 


£   s. 
David  Allgeo  10 

Josiah   Martin  20 

Richard  Thorne  5 
Leffert  Hagawout  8 
Benjamin  Hewlett    2 


Joseph  Kissam  3 

John  Brown  3 

James  Wood  2 

Samuel  Seabury  2 

Jacob  Johnson  o 


James  Smith  I  10    Daniel  Pine                5 

Isaac  Golden  i  jValentine  H.  Peters  3 

John  Peters  5  iRichard  Ellison          I 

Robert  Marvin  5  I 

The  number  of  communicants  at  this  time  was 
seventy-eight. 

In  1748,  Mr.  Seabury  informed  the  Venerable 
Society  that  at  Huntington  a  considerable  number  of 
people  had  conformed  and  built  a  church  for  the 
worship  of  God,  according  to  the  liturgy  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  that  he  had  frequently  offici- 
ated there.  But  he  could  not  give  them  as  frequent 
visits  as  was  desirable  for  them.  That  their  need 
might  be  in  a  measure  supplied,  the  Churchmen  at 
Huntington,  addressed  a  petition  to  the  Venerable 
Society  that  Mr.  Samuel  Seabury,  Jr.,  might  be  ap- 
pointed as  catechist  for  them — of  which  the  following 
is  an  extract : 

**  We  are  inhabitants  of  a  town,  which,  till  of  late, 
has  been  under  great  prejudices  against  the  Church 
of  England,  a  few  excepted ;  but  by  late  enthusiastic 
confusions,"^  which  mightily  prevailed  here.  Some  of 
us  have  been  awakened  to  consider  the  consequences 
of  those  principles  in  which  we  had  been  educated, 
and  by  the  assistance  of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Seabury, 
the  Society's  missionary  at  Hempstead,  who  has  been 

*  Referring  to  Whitfield's  operations. 
5 


gS  S^.   Georges  Church, 

very  ready  to  visit  us  on  week  days,  and  to  perform^ 
divine  service  among  us,  we  have  most  heartily  em- 
braced the  established  Church,  and  think  it  our  duty, 
for  our  own  improvement  in  true  religion,  for  the 
good  of  our  country,  and  for  the  honour  of  God,  to 
join  with  our  neighbours,  conformists,  and  do  all  in 
our  power  for  the  promotion  of  the  interests  of  the 
established  Church ;  in  our  zeal  for  which,  we  have 
built  a  church,  that,  in  a  little  time,  will  be  commodi- 
ous for  public  use  ;  but  as  we  are  eighteen  miles  dis- 
tant from  Mr.  Seabury,  who  is  the  nearest  Mission- 
ary, and  he  being  obliged  to  attend  two  churches  in 
his  own  parish,  viz.,  those  of  Hempstead  and  Oyster 
Bay,  we,  therefore,  most  humbly  beg  the  Society  to 
attend  to  our  prayers,  which  is,  that  Mr.  Samuel  Sea- 
bury,  the  son  of  your  worthy  Missionary,  a  young 
gentleman  (lately  educated  and  graduated  at  Yale 
College)  of  a  good  character  and  excellent  hopes, 
may  be  appointed  the  Society's  Catechist  at  this- 
place,  and  perform  divine  service  among  us  in  a  lay 
capacity,  with  some  allowance  from  the  Honourable 
Society  for  that  service. 

'*  In  testimony  of  our  sincerity,  we  have  to  this  af- 
fixed our  subscription  of  such  sums  of  money  as  each 
of  us  respectively  promise  and  oblige  ourselves  to  pay 
to  Mr.  Samuel  Seabury  aforesaid,  yearly,  in  half 
yearly  payments,  for  the  space  of  three  years,  for 
officiating  amongst  us ;  which  subscription,  we  beg 
the  Honourable  Society  to  believe,  will  be  punctually 
paid  by  the  Honourable  Society's  most  humble 
petitioners,  the  subscribers. 

"H.  Lloyd, 

and  others  J"* 

Mr.  Lloyd  started    the  subscription  towards   the 

*  Ch.  Doc.  Conn.,  Hawks  and  Perry,  p.  247. 


Rev.   Samtiel  Seabury.  99 

>church  he  mentions  by  a  gift  of  ;^I45.  The  sum  of 
£^  was  paid  to  John  Davis  for  the  site.  The  re- 
■quest  for  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Seabury  as  catechist 
was  granted,  and  the  sum  of  ^10  was  ordered  by  the 
Society. 

When  the  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury  began  to  officiate  at 
Huntington,  a  severe  attack  was  made  upon  him  by 
a  preacher  at  that  place  as  being  an  intruder,  and  as 
one  who  was  a  destroyer  of  souls  and  a  hinderer  of 
Christ's  work.  This  virulent  attack,  which  was  but 
the  manifestation  of  the  evil  temper  towards  the  Epis- 
copal Church  which  had  been  excited  by  Whitfield's 
preaching,  who,  although  himself  a  minister  of  that 
Church,  could  not  recognize  the  existence  of  real 
piety  as  being  possible  to  her  members,  and  who  re- 
sembled the  Maronitcs  of  Asia  Minor,  who  declare 
that  every  Maronite  will  be  saved  and  every  one  else 
will  be  accursed.  Mr.  Seabury  is  said  to  have  pub- 
lished a  reply  to  this  assault  which  was  couched  in 
gentle  terms  and  manifested  a  forbearing  and  kindly 
spirit,  well  adapted  to  convince  a  gainsayer.  But 
"  Leviathan  is  not  so  tamed."  The  man  of  bitter 
spirit  proposed  to  Mr.  Seabury  a  public  discussion  of 
their  diiTerent  religious  systems.  To  this  proposition 
Mr.  S.  replied  :  "  I  have  no  leisure  for  controversy — 
nor  delight  in  it.  My  great  desire  is  (so  far  as  God 
will  enable  me)  to  prosecute  the  commission  and 
■command  of  our  Lord  as  given  in  Luke  24 :  47 :  "  That 
repentance  and  remission  of  sins  should  be  preached 
in  His  name  among  all  nations." 

This  is  probably  but  one  example  of  many  attacks 
which  our  early  missionaries  had  to  encounter.      For 


loo  S^.  Georges  Church, 

we  find  in  Mr.  Seabury's  correspondence  the  remark : 
"The  Church  in  the  Province  of  Nev/  York  is  truly 
MiHtant,  being  continually  attacked  on  one  side  or 
the  other  ;  sometimes  by  the  enemies  of  Revelation, 
at  other  times  by  the  wild  enthusiasts  ;  but  in  the 
midst  of  them,  true  religion  gains  ground."  The 
condition  of  things  and  the  quiet  advance  of  the 
Church  in  despite  of  opposition,  is  related  in  the  fol- 
lowing extracts  : 

1750,  October  5. — ''Religion  prospers,  though  in- 
fidels try  to  weaken  it.  The  new  church  at  Oyster- 
bay,  w^iich  has  been  some  years  in  building,  is  so  far 
completed  as  to  be  convenient  for  use,  and  was  dedi- 
cated to  the  service  of  God  according  to  the  Litur- 
gy of  England,  on  the  14th  of  June  last. 

"  The  church  at  Huntington  is  also  rendered  very 
commodious,  and  a  congregation  of  fifty  or  sixty 
persons,  and  sometimes  more,  constantly  attend 
Divine  service  there,  who  behave  very  devoutly  and 
perform  their  part  in  Divine  worship  very  decently. 
They  had  taken  from  them  in  the  late  mortal  sickness 
four  of  their  most  substantial  members,  who  bore  the 
principal  part  of  building  the  church,  which  has  very 
much  weakened  their  ability,  and  they  have  desired 
me  to  ask  of  the  Society  a  folio  Bible  and  Common 
Prayer  Book,  for  the  use  of  the  church." 

1752,  March  26. — "  Religion  has  gained  but  little 
in  our  bounds  the  winter  past,  the  Church  having 
been  troubled  with  some  disturbers  from  a  pretence 
that  could  hardly  have  been  suspected.  The  increase 
of  our  concrrecration  had  brought  us  to  a  resolution 
to  build  galleries  in  the  church,  which  were  accord- 
ingly erected  by  subscription,  are  well-nigh  com- 
pleted, and  are  commodious  to  entertain  one  hundred 
and  fifty  people,  which  some  restless  spirits,  enemies 


Rev,    Samuel   Seabury,  loi 

to  the  Church  and  Revelation  in  general,  envying  (as 
I  fear)  the  Church's  prosperity,  have  made  an  occa- 
sion to  raise  a  party  who  seem  zealous  for  nothing 
but  contention ;  but  I  hope,  by  the  moderation  of 
those  who  have  the  good  of  the  church  at  heart, 
that  the  ill-effects  and  mischief  intended  will  be 
obviated." 

Mr.  Seabury,  like  every  minister  of  the  Church  in 
North  America,  became  increasingly  sensible  of  the 
evil  and  anomaly  of  the  Church  not  being  provided 
with  a  Bishop,  and  he  felt  constrained  to  address  the 
Bishop  of  London  a  letter,  in  1753,  urging  that  a 
Bishop  be  consecrated  for  the  American  Colonies. 
His  arguments  were  like  those  used  by  Caner  and 
Chandler  and  hosts  of  others ;  and  as  little  effectual 
The  Church  was  hindered  by  politicians.  And  these 
cared  not  if  three  out  of  every  ten  candidates  for  or- 
dination who  sailed  for  England  either  died  of  small 
pox  contracted  in  England  or  by  shipwreck. 

In  answer  to  a  request  from  persons  in  Dutchess 
County,  he  visited  it ;  and  finding  the  people  were 
attentive  to  hear,  and  that  they  were  eager  for  the 
services  of  the  Church,  he  repeated  his  visits,  and 
after  a  time,  by  the  direction  of  the  Venerable  Soci- 
ety,* formally  took  them  under  his  pastoral  care ; 
although  one  might  think  he  was  already  well  bur- 
dened. Among  the  places  in  which  official  acts  are 
recorded  as  having  been  done  by  him  in  that  county 
mention  is  made  of  Poughkeepsie,  Fishjvill,  Phillips- 
borough,  Nine-Partners,  Rumbout,  Bateman's  Pre- 
cinct, and  Crom- Elbow. 


Church  Documents,  Connecticut,  Vol.  i.  p.  324. 
5* 


I02  S^.  George  s  Church, 

Mr.  Seabury  frequently  refers  to  the  extreme  diffi* 
culty  he  experienced  in  convincing  the  people  in  his 
missionary  field  of  the  duty  of  observing  the  Sacra- 
ments. They  had  not  been  taught  to  attribute  any 
value  to  them,  but  only  to  preaching,  and  a  verbal 
declaration  of  adhesion  to  Christianity.  This  repug- 
nance was  mainly  owing  to  the  influence  of  Quaker- 
ism in  this  region.  In  discarding  the  sign,  the  inevi- 
table result  was,  that  soon  they  also  discarded  the. 
things  signified  thereby.  And  so,  as  one  of  the 
missionaries  declares,  "  In  those  villages  where  the 
Quakers  were  formerly  most  numerous,  there  is  now 
the  least  appearance  of  any  religion  at  all."* 

"  1757,  May  31. — £\  a  year  for  the  past  year,  and 
255-  a  year  for  next  year,  is  allowed  to  Newport,  the- 
sexton,  for  sweeping  and  keeping  the  church  clean, 
and  for  his  service  on  Sundays  in  ringing  the  bell. 
He  is  to  demand  2s  for  tolling  a  funeral  bell." 

In  1 76 1  the  number  of  inhabitants  of  Hempstead 
was  5,940 ;  communicants,  72 ;  professors  of  the 
Church  of  England,  750.  No  other  place  is  kept  up' 
for  public  worship,  says  Mr.  S.,  in  his  letter  of  April 
5th,  1759,  except  a  Quaker  meeting-house.  But  in, 
1 76 1,  there  was  an  Independent  preacher  on  the 
ground.  Meanwhile  the  congregation  at  Oyster  Bay 
continued  large.  At  Huntington,  the  church  was  well, 
filled  and  the  people  had  ''  purchased  a  house  and. 
glebe,  worti  about  ;^200  N.  Y.  currency,  which  they 
are  ready  to  make  a  conveyance  of  for  the  use  of  the 
Church  at  Huntington  forever,  hoping  to  have  leave 

*  Documen.  Hist.  New  York,  Vol.  3,  p.  327. 


Rev,   Samuel  Seahury,  103 

within  a  year  or  two,  to  send  over  a  candidate  for 
holy  orders."  It  appears  from  letters  from  Dr.  John- 
son and  their  own  petition  that  they  applied  in  1762 
for  a  missionary. 

Faithful  and  unremitting  in  his  labors  as  Mr.  Seabury 
was,  the  people  did  not  generously  supply  him  with  the 
means  for  a  comfortable  support,  and  in  addition  to  his 
"  care  of  all  the  churches,"  he  was  compelled  to  resort 
to  teaching,  in  order  to  obtain  the  funds  to  supple- 
ment his  inadequate  salary.  He  built  a  school-house 
in  the  rear  of  the  Parsonage,  which  was  removed,  it  is 
said,  about  1820,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hart  having  either  en- 
larged it  or  added  a  separate  building,  for  lodgings  for 
the  pupils. 

In  connection  with  Mr.  Seabury's  school  there  ap- 
peared in  the  New  York  Mercury,  the  following : 

"  A  Card.— The  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Seabury,  of 
Hempstead,  in  order  to  enlarge  his  school,  has  en- 
gaged a  young  gentleman  as  usher,  who  is  candidate 
for  orders.  Mr.  S.  will  entertain  young  gentlemen 
at  his  own  house  in  a  genteel  manner  at  ;^30  per 
year,  schooling,  washing  and  wood  for  school-fire  in- 
cluded.    March  27th,  1762." 

This  school  obtained  much  repute,  and  its  advan- 
tages were  appreciated  by  many  of  the  principal 
families  of  New  York  City  and  all  over  Queens 
County. 

Among  his  pupils  in  1754-63  were  the  following — 
Philip  son  of  Philip  Allen ;  a  son  of  Justice  Si- 
mon Cooper  of  Oyster-Bay  ;  James  son  of  Charles 
Crommehne  ;'^  Henry  and  Telamon  Cruger  ;  Thomas 


*  A  Governor  of  Columloia  College  in  1780. 


I04  'S'/^-  Georges  Church, 

Frost;  John,  son  of  Benj.  Hicks;  David  Jones;: 
James,  son  of  Dr.  Wm.  Farquher  of  New  York ;  Da- 
niel, Robert  and  John  Grenel ;  Philip  Hicks ;  Ar- 
thur, son  of  Benj.  Jarvis  of  New  York  ;  Gilbert 
Lester ;  William,  son  of  Dr.  Lawrence,  of  Mosquito 
Cove  ;*  Joseph,  son  of  Daniel  Kissam  ;  Jacob,  son  of 
Joachim  Melchior  Magens,  a  Lutheran  minister  of 
Flushing ;  Henry  Montressor  ;  Benjamin,  son  of 
Hendrick  Onderdonk;f  Micai  (Micajah  ?)  and  Jotham; 
Townsend ;+  Epenetus,  son  of  Capt  Micajah  Town- 
send  ;  Thomas  Truxton,  the  afterwards  famous 
commodore;  John  Taylor,  James  Rockwell,  Daniel 
Wiggins,  Isaac  Wilkins,  from  Jamaica,  W.  L;  who 
became  a  clergyman,  and  rector  of  St.  Peter's,  West- 
chester County  ;  and  Charles,  son  of  Jacob  Valentine 
of  Oyster  Bay. 

In  Mr.  Seabury's  report  to  the  Society,  March  26,. 
1762,  he  states  that  he  had  been  the  happy  instru- 
ment, under  God,  in  bringing  eleven  adults  to  bap- 
tism, who  all  appeared  properly  affected  on  the  occa- 
sion. ''  One  of  them  particularly,  Joseph  Cheese- 
man,  declared  publicly,  that  it  was  after  considering; 
most  other  professions,  and  upon  mature  delibera- 
tion, he  had  determined  to  make  the  solemn  confes- 
sion of  his  faith  in  the  Church  of  England  ;  and  ac- 
cordingly, himself,  his  wife  and  eight  children  were 
baptized." 

Mr.  Seabury  had  marked  success  in  bringing  persons 

*  Now  Glen  Cove. 

■f  He  became  a  physician,  and  died  1772,  at  Eustatia. 
X  He  became  a  clergyman  ;  was  a  Tory,  and  was  lost   in  1779  Ott 
a  voyage  to  Nova  Scotia. 


Rev,  Samuel  Seabury,  105 

to  baptism.  During  the  twenty-two  years  of  his  min- 
istry in  Hempstead,  he  baptized  1,071  persons.  A 
number  of  these  are  recorded  to  have  been  baptized 
**by  immersion."  He  was  in  a  proper  sense  of  the 
term  "a  Baptist."  The  parish  records  abundantly 
prove  that  Mr.  Seabury  remitted  none  of  his  labors 
to  the  very  end  of  his  life.  He  was  constantly  passing- 
from  point  to  point  in  his  extended  field  of  labor, 
seeking  to  win  souls  to  Christ ;  and  his  utter  forget- 
fulness  of  self,  cannot  but  have  mitigated  towards  him 
the  opposition  of  whicJi  he  had  so  often  to  complain, 
.and  with  his  well  doing  ''  put  to  silence  the  ignorance 
'Of  foolish  men." 

In  the  midst  of  his  faithful  endeavors  his  career 
-was  brought  to  a  close.  Having  taken  a  voyage  to 
England  in  June,  1763,  probably  to  seek  surgical  aid, 
lie  returned  in  1764,  in  the  language  of  his  wife,  "a 
sick — a  dying.man."'*  In  a  newspaper  of  that  day  ap- 
peared the  following  notice  of  his  death: — *'  Rev.  Mr. 
Seabury  died  of  a  nervous  disorder  and  an  impos- 
thume  in  his  side,  June  15,  1764,  aged  58  ;  a  gentle- 
man of  amiable,  exemplary  character,  greatly  and 
generally  beloved  and  lamented." — New  York  PosU 
boy. 

His  remains  lie  interred  in  St.  George's  churchyard, 
and  the  stone  at  the  head  of  his  grave  has  this  in* 
scription  : — 

**  Here  lyeth  interred  the  body  of  the 

Rev.  Sam'l  Seabury,  A.M. 
Rector  of  the  parish  of  Hempstead, 
Who  with  the  greatest  diligence 
And  most  indefatigable  labour, 

*  Updike's  Narragansett  Church,  p.  134. 


io6  S^.  Georges  Church. 

For  13  years  at  New-London, 

And  21  years  in  this  parish, 

Having  discharged  every  duty 

Of  his  sacred  functions  ; 

Died  the  15th  of  June,  A.  D.  1764,  ^Et.  58. 

In  gratitude  to  the  memory  of  the  best  of  husbands 

His  disconsolate  widow,  Elizabeth  Seabury, 

liath  placed  this  stone."  • 

I  do  not  find  the  record  of  any  action  taken  by  the 
Vestry  on  the  death  of  their  faithful  and  most  excel- 
lent Rector.  It  seems  hardly  credible  that  they 
neglected  to  perform  this  duty  of  respect ;  and  we 
may  justly  suppose  that  such  action  was  taken,  out 
that  there  was  a  neglect  to  record  it. 

Mrs.  Seabury  survived  her  husband  35  years,  dying 
in  February,  1799,  at  the  age  of  ^j  years,  and  was 
buried  by  the  side  of  her  husband.  Dr.  Carmichael, 
in  his  historical  discourse,"^  says,  on  the  authority  of 
a  letter  of  Mr.  Cutting,  presently  to  be  quoted — that 
the  church  purchased  a  lot  of  ground  and  built  a 
house  upon  it  and  gave  it  to  Mrs.  Seabury.  She  sus- 
tained herself  by  taking  boarders,  and  in  1767  Lieut. 
Harry  Munroe,  Archibald  Campbell,  and  Col.  Mar- 
tins' son  are  named  among  those  who  boarded  with 
her. 

The  year  before  Mr.  Seabury  died,  a  second  enlarge- 
ment was  made  of  the  churchyard,  by  a  grant  from  the 
town,  as  is  stated  in  the  following  extract : 

*'  1763,  April  5. — Samuel  Clowes,  John  Borland, 
Leffert  Hagewout,  Richard  Hewlett,  John  Jackson, 
Daniel  Kissam,  Robert  IMarvin,  Jacob  Mott,  Epene- 
tus  Piatt,  Isaac  Smith  and  John  Townsend  petitioned 

*  Rise  and  Progress  of  St.  George's  Church,  Hempstead,  1841. 


Rev,   Samuel  Seabury,  107 

the  town  to  grant  St.  George's  Church  such  a  parcel 
of  ground,  joining  on  the  east .  side  of  the  churchyard, 
as  that  the  burying  ground  may  be  enlarged  as  much 
as  the  town  shall  see  fit,  since  the  east  end  of  the 
burying -ground  is  filled  with  graves,  and  the  west 
end,  which  is  not  enclosed,  is  necessary  to  lay  open 
for  the  congregation  to  tie  their  horses  on,  as  many 
families  have,  of  late,  begun  to  bury  their  dead  in 
said  churchyard.  It  was  voted  by  a  majority  that 
the  land  on  the  east  side  of  the  churchyard,  on  the 
south  side  of  the  lot  of  Jeremiah  Bedell,  Jr.,  be  set 
apart  for  a  public  burying-place,  to  extend  as  far  east 
as  Totten's  lane,  and  southerly  on  the  road." — F.,  i. 

The  ''  Totten's  lane" — here  spoken  of  may  be  that 
referred  to  in  the  following  action  by  the  town  : 

**  1767,  April, — The  town  vote  to  stop  the  lane  on 
the  east  side  of  the  burying-ground,  and  to  set  over 
the  land  in  said  lane  as  an  addition  to  the  burying- 
ground,  and  the  trustees  are  to  stop  up  said  lane,  and 
fence  in  the  burying-ground,  and  hire  out  the  pasture 
there  the  ensuing  year." 

This  was  confirmed  by  the  Commissioners  of  High- 
ways in  1769.'^ 

As  an  illustration  of  the  sentiment  of  the  times  and 
of  the  changes  which  time  and  experience  effect,  it 
may  be  recorded  that  in  June,  1763,  Mr.  Seabury 
expressed  great  thankfulness  that  "his  ticket  in  the 
Light  House  and  Public  Lottery  of  New  York  drew  a 
prize  of  ;^500." 

Of  the  children,  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  left 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury,  it  is  not  necessary  to  say 
anything  relating  to  his  son  Samuel ;  who  more  than 

*   F.,  44,  82. 


io8  S^,  George^ s  Church, 

fulfilled  all  his  fond  father's  anticipations,  and  obtain- 
ed fbr  himself  the  place  of  renown  in  the  history  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  America  as  its 
first  Bishop.  Oct.  1756,  he  married  Mrs.  Mary  Hix, 
of  New  York. 

Another  son — Adam — became  a  physician,  and 
established  a  wide  reputation  in  Hempstead  for 
excellence  in  his  profession.  He  married,  June,  1762, 
Miriam  Peters,  and  his  descendants  are  with  us.  A 
daughter,  Elizabeth,  in  1762,  married  Benjamin 
Tread  well.  And  another  daughter,  Abigail,  in  1768^ 
married  Gilbert  Van  Wyck. 


C  H  A  P  T  E  R    I  V. 

1766 — 1784. 

FOR  nearly  two  years  after  the  death  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Seabury  in  June,  1764,  St.  George's^ 
Church  was  without  a  Rector.  About  a  month  after 
his  decease,  his  son,  then  the  Rev.  Samuel  Seabury, 
and  missionary  at  Jamaica,  acquainted  the  Venerable 
Society  of  his  father's  death,  by  which  "  a  very  large 
congregation  of  decent  and  well-behaved  people  were 
left  destitute."  And  he  conveyed  a  request  from  the 
Vestry  of  St.  George's  that  the  Society  would  still 
consider  them  in  the  number  of  its  missions,  and  per- 
mit them  to  look  out  for  some  proper  person  to 
succeed  their  late  worthy  minister.  Mr.  Seabury 
promises,  in  the  mean  time,  to  give  them  such  assist- 
ance as  his  duties  to  his  charge  at  Jamaica  will  admit 
of.  And  in  a  subsequent  communication,  he  states 
that  he  had  fulfilled  his  promise  and  had  baptized 
here,  ten  children. 

In  June,  1765,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury  forwarded  a 
petition  to  the  Society  from  the  Vestry  of  St.  George's- 
Church,  and  accompanied  it  with  a  letter  from  him- 
self, which  declares  the  nature  and  object  of  the 
petition,  and  describes  the  internal  condition  of  this 


Tio  Sf.  Georges  Church. 

parish  at  that  date.     This  letter,   deserving  especial 
attention,  was  as  follows  : 

"Jamaica,  June  28,  1765. 
"  Rev.  Sir — The  enclosed  petition  from  the 
church  wardens  and  vestrymen  of  the  parish  of  Hemp- 
stead, I  have  been  desired  by  them  to  forward  to  the 
Honorable  Society.  They  have  called  and  presented 
to  that  parish  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cutting,  the  Society's 
present  Missionary  at  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  and  as  the 
Church  people  at  Hempstead  are  very  much  pleased 
with  Mr.  Cutting,  and  very  desirous  of  having  him 
for  their  minister,  and  as  I  think  (from  the  acquaint- 
ance of  twelve  years)  that  he  is  well  qualified  to  sup- 
ply that  parish,  and  that  he  will  do  real  service  there- 
in to  the  cause  of  virtue  and  religion  in  general,  and 
to  the  interest  of  the  Church  in  particular,  I  hope  the 
Society  will  not  think  me  too  presuming  when  I  say, 
that  I  think  his  removal  thither  will  be  attended  with 
happy  consequences.  Tho'  the  congregation  there  is 
large,  yet  a  great  part  of  it  is  composed  of  those  who 
have  had  no  religious  impressions  made  on  them  by 
their  parents  in  their  younger  years.  They  come  to 
church  rather  from  habit  than  a  sense  of  duty  and 
love  of  religion.  *  "  ^  It  is  evident  to  the  most 
superficial  observer  that  where  there  have  been  the 
greatest  number  of  Quakers,  there  infidelity  and  a 
disregard  of  all  religion  have  taken  the  deepest  root; 
and  if  they  have  not  entirely  corrupted  the  religious 
principles  of  the  other  inhabitants,  they  have  at  least 
very  much  weakened  them  and  made  them  look 
upon  rehgion  with  indifference.  -^  *  •^.  This 
seems  to  be  the  reason  why  the  people  of  Hempstead, 
tho'  able  to  do  considerable  towards  the  support  of 
their  minister,  are  so  very  backward.  '* 

•  Doc.  His.  N.  v.,  Vol.  3,  p.  328. 


Rev.  Leonard  Cutting,  iii 

This  is  not  an  agreeable  statement  of  the  prevailing 
temper  of  the  parish — and  one  hopes  that  the  traits 
of  a  parish  are  not  transmitted  and  perpetuated  from 
generation  to  generation,  as  are  those  of  individuals 
and  families.  But  there  are  evidences  that  for  many 
long  years  after  this,  the  parish  was  deficient  in  a 
generous  care  of  its  pastor,  and  that  as  it  had  suffered 
Mr.  Seabury  to  seek  a  part  of  his  maintenance  by 
teaching,  so  several  of  his  successors  were  compelled 
to  disregard  the  apostolic  injunction,  and  their  own 
ordination  vows,  to  *'  give  attendance  to  reading,  to 
exhortation,  to  doctrine :  give  thyself  wholly  to 
them  :"^^  and  resort  to  various  measures  to  obtain 
that  supply  to  their  needs  which  their  people  could 
have  given  them,  if  they  had  been  so  minded. 

The  society  granted  the  request  for  Mr.  Cutting's 
transfer  from  New  Brunswick  to  Hempstead,  and  July 
24,  1766,  a  precept  for  his  induction  to  St.  George's 
parish  was  issued  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury,  of  Jamaica, 
by  Sir  Henry  Moore,  Governor  of  the  Province.  The 
induction  took  place  August  nth,  1766  ;  and  a  cer- 
tificate of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Seabury  was  given  that 
he,  "  Rector  of  the  parish  of  Jamaica,  by  virtue  of  the 
within  written  mandate,  did  induct  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Leonard  Cutting,  Clerk,  into  the  real,  actual  and  cor- 
poreal Possession  of  the  Parish  Church  of  Hempstead, 
called  St.  George's  Church,  together  with  all  its  Rights, 
Privileges,  Dignities,  Immunities,  and  appurtenan- 
ces whatsoever." 

The  subscribing  witnesses  were : 

*  1  Timothy,  4  :  13. 


112  S^.  Georges  Church, 

Daniel  Kissam,  James  WcK)d, 

Timothy  Smith,  James  Turner, 

George  Watts,  John  Potters, 

George  Reirson,  Cornehus  Vannostrand, 

Lefifert  Haugowort,  A.  Seabury. 

A  few  weeks  after,  viz.,  September  2ist,  1766,  Mr. 
Cutting  complied  with  the  legal  requisition  to  make 
— after  reading  Morning  and  Evening  Prayer  accord- 
ing to  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer — "  publickly  be- 
fore the  Congregation  then  assembled,  his  unfeigned 
.assent  and  consent  to  the  use  of  all  and  every  thing 
contained  and  prescribed  by  the  Book  entitled  the 
Book  of  Common  Prayer :  ^  ^  Also  he  did  read 
a  Certificate  under  the  Hand  and  Seal  of  the  Right 
Reverend  Father  in  God,  Richard,  Lord  Bishop  of 
London,  of  his  having  declared  Conformity  to  the 
Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England." 

The  witnesses  to  this  public  declaration  by  Mr. 
Cutting  of  his  assent  and  obedience  were 

Richard  Thorne,  Elias  Dorhn,  3d, 

A.  Seabury."^ 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  after  the  induct- 
ion, Nov.  5th,  1766,  it  was  agreed  to  return  thanks  in 
a  letter  to  the  Society  for  supplying  the  Mission  in 
the  room  of  Mr.  Seabury. 

"■  Present  the  Rev'd  Mr.  Cutting,  Rectoi'^  Mr.  Leffert 
Haugowout,  Church  Warden. 
James  Wood,      j 
James  Tui'ner,    J-  Vestrymen, 
John  Peters,        ) 

*  Church  Records,  p.  79. 


Rev,  Leonard  Cutting,  iij 

Such  letter  was  accordingly  sent  "  to  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Burton,  Secretary  to  the  Society  for  the  Propagation 
of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts." 

For  an  account  of  the  clergyman  who  was  thus  in- 
stalled in  the  place  which  had  been  so  well  filled  by 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury,  we  are  largely  indebted  to  the 
information  gleaned  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sprague,  and 
given  in  his  '*  Annals  of  the  American  Episcopal 
Pulpit." 

Leonard  Cutting  was  born  at  Great  Yarmouth,  im 
the  County  of  Norfolk,  England,  in  the  year  1724. 
He  belonged  to  an  ancient  and  respectable  family; 
some  of  his  ancestors  having  at  different  periods,  filled 
the  office  of  High  Sheriff  of  Norwich,  &c.  He  was 
left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  nine  years,  in  the  charge 
of  his  aunt.  Admitted  a  member  of  Pembroke  Col- 
lege, Cambridge,  he  became  Bachelor  of  Arts,  1747. 
His  Httle  property  was  exhausted  in  obtaining  his  ed- 
ucation, and  being  in  straits,  he  suddenly  resolved  to 
come  to  America.  Not  being  able  to  pay  the  price 
of  the  passage,  he  bound  himself,  after  a  custom  which 
then  prevailed,  to  the  Captain  of  the  ship,  to  give  him 
the  returns  of  his  labor  till  the  cost  of  his  passage 
was  refunded.  He  secured,  during  the  voyage,  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  the  Captain  as  an  exem- 
plary young  man,  intelligent,  honorable,  trustworthy, 
and  entitled  to  full  confidence;  and  was  thus  enabled 
to  obtain  lucrative  occupation,  on  landing,  as  manager 
of  a  plantation,  first  in  Virginia  and  then  in  New  Jer- 
sey. While  thus  occupied  he  was  providentially  met 
by  a  former  College  friend — the  Rev.  Samuel  Cookv 
a  missionary  in  the  employ  of  the  Venerable  Society^ 
8 


114  '^^'  Georges  Church. 

who  immediately  sought  and  obtained  for  Mr.  Cut- 
ting— in  1756, — the  position  more  appropriate  to  his 
acquirements  and  congenial  to  his  tastes,  of  Tutor  in 
the  Greek  and  Latin  tongues  in  King's — now  Colum- 
bia College,  in  New  York  City  :  from  which  College 
he  received  the  honorary  degree  of  A.M.  in  1758,  and 
his  name  is  found  in  the  first  list  of  the  names  of  those 
upon  whom  the  College  conferred  her  honors. 

In  this  position  he  remained  until  1763.  During 
this  time,  feeling  it  his  duty  to  devote  himself  to  the 
sacred  ministry,  he  diligently  pursued  the  studies 
which  would  fit  him  to  discharge  the  obligations  of  the 
holy  office.  After  due  preparation  he  proceeded  to 
England,  and  he  was  prepared  for  his  successful 
application  for  orders  by  a  letter  from  Dr.  Samuel 
Johnson,  President  of  King's  (Columbia)  College, 
under  date  of  J\Iay  10,  1763,  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Venerable  Society,  in  which  he  says:  "  Mr.  Hubbard, 
from  Guilford,  and  Mr.  Jarvis,  from  Middletown,  de- 
sign to  wait  on  the  Society  in  the  fall,  as  does  also 
Mr.  Cutting,  a  gentleman  bred  at  Eaton  and  Cam- 
bridge, in  England,  a  person  of  piety  and  virtue,  and 
of  much  learning  and  eloquence,  who,  for  seven  years, 
has  been  one  of  my  assistant  tutors  at  King's  College, 
and  is  now  desirous  of  orders,  and  some  vacant  mis- 
sion.'"^ 

He  was  ordained,  December  21,  1763,  to  the 
Diaconate,  and  Priest,  shortly  afterwards.  In  1764, 
he  returned  to  this  country,  having  been  appointed 
by  the  Venerable  Society  its  missionary  at  New 
Brunswick  and    Piscataway,  New   Jersey,    where  he 

*  Church  Documt,  Conn.,  Vol.  2,  p.  37. 


Rev.    Leonard   Cutting.  115 

remained  until  transferred  to  Hempstead,  in  July, 
1766. 

Mr.  Cutting  appears  to  have  entered  upon  his 
work  in  his  new  Mission  in  a  very  hopeful  spirit,  not- 
withstanding that  he  had  early  experience  of  the 
faithfulness  of  the  description  which  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Seabury,  of  Jamaica,  had  given  of  the  parish  to  the 
Venerable  Society.  It  was  not  long  before  he  found 
the  parish  made  inadequate  provision  for  his  support, 
and  he  was  obliged,  in  order  to  supplement  his  in-^ 
sufficient  salary,  to  continue  the  classical  school  which 
Mr.  Seabury  had  begun. 

After  Mr.  Cutting  had  been  here  about  a  year,  he 
made  to  the  Venerable  Society  the  following  report : 

*^  April  g,  1767. — It  is  with  pleasure  I  can  inform 
you  of  the  civil  behavior  of  the  congregation  of 
Hempstead  towards  me.  They  have  built  a  barn"* 
and  put  the  house  in  convenient  repair,  and  endeavor 
at  present  to  render  my  situation  easy  and  comfort- 
able. The  Mission  is  very  extensive,  and  as  the 
severity  of  the  weather  came  on  before  I  was  well 
settled,  I  could  not  take  such  a  circuit  round  the 
country  and  can't  give  so  perfect  an  account  as  I 
could  wish.  The  church  is  generally  well  filled.  It 
is  difficult  to  form  a  judgment  of  the  real  members 
from  the  number  of  those  that  attend,  as  I  find  per- 
sons of  different  denominations  pretty  constant  in 
their  attendance  and  apparently  devout  during  the 
performance  of  Divine  Service ;  but  according  to  the 
best  calculation  I  have  as  yet  been  able  to  make, 
there  are  about  ninety  families  in  Hempstead  town- 
ship, profest  members  of  the  Church  of  England. 
The  Dutch  are  numerous  and   powerful,  and  declare 

*  Replaced  by  another  in  l8oo. 


I' 1 6  S^.  George's  Church. 

to  me  their  regard  to  our  Established  Church.'^  The 
Quakers  and  their  adherents  are,  I  think,  the  next  in 
number.  The  Presbyterians  appear  to  me  at  present 
to  be  the  fewest.  I  find  it  for  the  interest  of  rehgioa 
and  the  Church,  to  make  in  regard  to  my  external 
behavior  no  difference  betwixt  the  members  of  my 
own  and  other  congregations.  I  have  baptized  at 
Hempstead  fifteen  white  children.  I  find  it  very 
difficult  to  demand  Godfathers.  Necessity,  I  hope,  will 
excuse  me,  if  I  accept  frequently  of  the  parents.  I 
must  go  to  their  houses  and  comply  sometimes  with 
their  humors,  or  the  children  will  go  unbaptized. 
The  communicants  that  I  have  seen  present  have 
been  about  thirty-five  at  one  time.  The  long  inter- 
valf  betwixt  the  death  of  the  late  Mr.  Seabury  and 
my  being  appointed,  has  been  of  some  disservice  to^ 
the  Church. 

"I  officiate  at  Oyster-Bay  every  third  Sunday. 
The  greatest  numbers  there  are  Anabaptists  and 
descendants  from  Quakers.  This  town  (Hempstead) 
is  of  large  extent.:}:  As  the  weather  now  grows 
moderate,  I  propose  visiting  every  part  of  the  Mission 
as  often  as  I  can  on  week-days,  that  I  may  be  enabled 
to  give  a  more  perfect  account  to  the  Society  in  my 
next." 

The  purpose  thus  expressed  by  Mr.  Cutting,  was- 
not  soon  fulfilled.  It  was  ten  months  afterwards 
before  he  forwarded  to  the  Society  the  following: 
letter.  But  he  compensates  for  the  delay  by  the 
interesting  details  with  which  it  is  replete  : 

*  "  it  was  about  this  time  that  Hendrick  Onderdonk,  grandfather  of 
the  two  bishops,  joined  the  Hempstead  Church." — Henry  Onderdonk^ 
Jr.^  yatnaica. 

\  About  two  years,  as  we  have  seen. 

%  Three  miles  long,  ten  miles  broad. 


Rev,  Leonard  Cutting,  117 

1768,  Jaiitiary  7. —  "I  have  not,"  writes  Mr. 
Cutting,  "  transmitted  an  account  of  my  mission  in 
the  limited  time,  owing  to  my  being  incapable  of  giv- 
ing so  perfect  information  as  I  could  have  wished. 
The  parish  is  large,  and  I  was  prevented  in  the  sum- 
mer, by  several  accidents,  from  visiting  every  part  of 
it,  as  I  expected,  nor  is  it  any  easy  matter  in  so  short 
a  time  to  form  a  certain  judgment  of  so  great  a  num- 
ber, so  dispersed.  I  have,  however,  found  the  people 
civil  and  hospitable,  and  I  may  venture  to  say,  are 
grateful.  As  a  proof  of  this,  on  the  death  of  their 
late  worthy  missionary,  Mr.  Seabury,  they  at  their 
own  expense  built  a  handsome  house  and  made  it  a 
present  to  his  widow ;  but  I  am  afraid  they  are  opin- 
ionated and  not  very  easy  to  be  persuaded. 

''The  church  at  Hempstead  is  large,  and  in  general 
full :  but  that  is  an  imperfect  way  of  judging  of  the 
number  of  a  congregation,  as  several  of  other  denom- 
inations pretty  constantly  attend  divine  service.  The 
sectaries  here  have  no  settled  teacher  amongst  them. 
Many  of  them,  therefore,  frequent  tlie  church,  and 
appear  devout  and  attentive.  The  spot  where  I  live 
is  surrounded  with  Presbyterians.  I  find  them  kind 
and  obliging  neighbors,  sober  and  pious  in  their  con- 
versation, and  no  friends  to  religious  animosities; 
though  I  am  confident  the  number  of  those  who  pro- 
fess themselves  members  of  the  Church  are  superior 
in  number  to  those  of  any  other  denomination,  the 
Dutch  excepted.  Great  numbers  of  every  profession, 
however,  remain  unbaptized,  owing,  I  imagine,  to  the 
principles  of  Quakerism,  which  prevailed  here  so  long, 
nor  are  there  so  many  catechumens'^  as  I  might  have 
hoped  from  so  large  a  parish.  I  have  proposed  to 
some  to  attend  for  that  purpose  on  evenings,  at  houses 
properly  situated,  and  hope  that  plan  will  succeed. 

*  /.  ^.,  persons  under  catechetical  instruction. 


Ii8  S^.  Georges  Church, 

To  the  south  of  Hempstead  [village — Ed^  for  sev- 
eral miles,  are  great  numbers  of  inhabitants,  in  gen- 
eral in  very  indigent  circumstances.  They  say  they 
can't  procure  conveniences  to  come  so  far  to  church. 
I  frequently,  on  week  days,  go  among  them  to  offici- 
ate. I  find  large  numbers  of  them  assembled,  who 
appear  glad  of  my  services  and  willing  to  be  in- 
structed ;  but  are  totally  ilhterate,  great  part  of  them 
not  being  able  to  read,  nor  have  they  abilities  or  op- 
portunity to  get  their  children  instructed.  A  school 
there  would  be  a  real  blessing 

"  At  Oyster-bay,  the  church  is  not  finished,  nor  are 
they  able  to  do  it.  It  is  indeed  in  general  well  filled, 
as  neither  have  the  dissenters  there  (who  are  mostly 
Anabaptists  and  Quakers)  any  settled  teacher.  The 
members  of  the  Church  are  constant,  serious  and  de- 
vout, though  not  equal  in  numbers  to  those  oi  other 
denominations." 

Mr.  Cutting  wasl  aboring  under  a  mistake  in  assert- 
ing, above,  that  the  m.embers  of  the  parish  at  their 
own  expense  had  built  a  house  for  Mrs.  Seabury  and 
made  it  a  present  to  her.  They  may  have  done  the 
larger  part  of  the  benevolent  work,  but  the  widow  had 
assisted  in  it  with  her  own  small  means.  We  learn 
this  fact  from  a  letter  of  Mrs.  Seabury  to  her  brother- 
in-law — Judge  James  Helme,  of  Narragansett,  Rhode 
Island — misgiven  in  Updike's  Narragansett  Churches."^ 
Under  date  of  Nov'r  z6,  1764,  she  writes  to  Judge 
Helme :  *'  I  am  much  hurried  with  business,  having 
^dJitJi  the  assistance  of  some  gentlemen  of  the  parish 
raised  a  dwelling-house  and  got  it  under  cover,  but 
•don't  purpose  doing  any  more  to  it  this  winter,  as  I 
see  no   prospect  of  being  obliged  to  quit  the  Par- 

*  Page  137. 


Rev.  Leonard  Cutting,  119 

sonage.  My  affairs  will  not  allow  of  my  making  a 
journey  to  you." 

Another  observation  suggested  by  the  statement 
in  Mr.  Cutting's  letter  that  the  Dutch  were  more 
numerous  in  the  town  than  persons  of  any  other  de- 
nomination is,  that  it  is  surprising  they  should  not 
have  had  an  organized  congregation  in  the  town. 
From  lack  of  one  they  were  in  time  absorbed  by 
other  denominations. 

The  next  communication  we  give  from  Mr.  Cut- 
ting  to  the  Venerable  Society,  is  under  date  of 
December  28,  1768,  in  which  he  says  : 

**  As  we  are  not  in  this  parish  disturbed  with  a 
variety  of  itinerant  preachers,"^  a  greater  appearance 
of  regularity,  with  its  happy  consequences,  prevails  ; 
and  as  no  animosity  (that  I  can  discover)  reigns 
amongst  those  of  different  persuasions,  no  consider- 
able change  in  any  short  time  can  be  expected. 
Persons  of  all  denominations  attend  Divine  service,, 
and  the  Church  here  is  much  esteemed,  and  is  cer- 
tainly, both  in  respect  to  the  number  and  import- 
ance of  its  hiends  and  professors,  superior  to  the  sects. 
Amongst  the  friends  to  the  Church  I  include  the 
Dutch  (who  are  a  very  respectable  congregation), 
and  it  is  with  pleasure  I  observe  that  the  disputes 
which  some  evil-mmded  persons  (to  serve  a  present 
particular  term)  have  raised  concerning  our  earnest 
desire  for  Episcopal  government  in  the  Church,  has 
been  of  real  service,  as  it  has  opened  the  eyes  of  the 
people,  made  them  examine  more  closely  the  princi- 
ples of  the  Church,  and  habituated  them  to  the  name 
of  a  Bishop,  and  taught  them  to  reflect  upon  that 
sacred  office  without  terror  or  suspicion." 

*  Alluding,  perhaps,  to  Whitfield  and  his  followers. 


I20  St  Georges  Church. 

Allusion  is  made  in  the  last  sentence  to  the  yearn- 
ing and  efforts  made  among  Episcopalians  in  all  the 
provinces   to    have    a    Bishop    consecrated   for   the 
colonies.     Bishops  have  ever  been  regarded  as  es- 
sential   to    the    existence   of  the  Church.     The    an- 
omaly of  a  Church  striving  to   live   with   its   mem- 
bers   in    one    continent    and     its    head    in     another^ 
was  being  felt  daily  more  and  more,  as  intolerable. 
To    remedy    the  evil  in    part,  certain    clergymen    in 
several  o-f  the  colonies    had   been   made   *'  Commis- 
sioners of  the  Bishop  of  London."     But  they  had  no 
superior  ecclesiastical   power,  because  tliey  were  not 
inheritors  of  Apostolic   grace  and  authority.     They 
could  supervise  the  material  affairs   of  churches,  but 
they    could    not     continue    and     transmit     spiritual 
authority  to  men  to  preach  the   Gospel  and  minister 
the    Sacraments.      To    obtain    ordination,    those    in 
this  land  who  desired  Holy  Orders  were   obliged  to 
cross  the  Atlantic.     Of  those  who  yielded  to    this 
stern  requisition  it  is  calculated  that  one-fifth   were 
lost  by  shipwreck  or  by   disease.     No  wonder  that 
the  clergy  here  should  earnestly  desire  and  petition 
to  be   supplied    with  a  Bishop.     And  little    wonder 
that  those  should  be  unfavorable  to  the  effort  and 
do   all  in  their   power  to  thwart   it,    who   had   not 
been    instructed   that    for    a    true    ministerial    au- 
thority,   it    should    be     received     from    those   who 
had   themselves   received   it   through   the   Apostles 
from  our  Lord  Himself,  the  great  Bishop.     Petitions 
to  have   the   Church  duly  equipped  with  its  three 
orders   of  an   Apostolic  Ministry,  were    constantly 
going  to  England,  and  Mr.  Cutting  was  probably  do- 


Rev.  Leonard  Cutting,  121 

ing  his  share  in  this  work.  But  pohticians  in  Eng- 
land were  able  for  some  time  yet  to  come,  to  baffle 
all  these  efforts. 

In  1769,  there  was  no  communication  of  moment 
from  Mr.  Cutting.  In  1770,  there  were  two.  In  the 
second  he  states  that  a  school  had  been  opened  at 
the  south  of  Hempstead,  which  began  operations, 
June  22,  1769  ;  Mr.  VViiham  Leaky  being  the  school- 
master, with  the  approbation  of  the  Venerable 
Society,  who  had  appropriated  to  him  £10.  Mr. 
Leaky  removed  in  1771.  This  same  year  Mr. 
James  Greaton  is  appointed  Missionary  at  Hunting- 
ton, with  an  allowance  of  £40,  having  been  licensed 
January  28,  1760,  by  the  Bishop  of  London.  Mr. 
Greaton  Vv^as  formerly  of  Christ  Church,  Boston. 
He  died,  after  a  short  illness,  at  Huntington,  April 
I7>  ^77?)-  Mr.  Greaton's  widow  married  B.  Y. 
Prime,  M.  D. 

The  abstracts  of  the  reports  of  the  Venerable 
Society  for  the  following  two  or  three  years  present 
no  items  from  Mr.  Cutting,  relating  to  any  new 
features  in  the  condition  of  the  parish.  In  a  letter 
dated  January  8,  1774,  he  mentions  the  issue  of  the 
effort  made  to  establish  a  Presbyterian  church  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town. 

**  The  dissenting  teacher  who  was  settled  to  the 
south  of  Hempstead,  made  no  long  continuance  here. 
He  married,  and  from  the  inability  of  the  people  to 
support  him,  was  obliged  to  remove.  They  now  de- 
pend (as  they  have  for  a  long  course  of  years)  on 
those  who  are  sometimes  sent  by  the  Presbytery  from 
the  other  congregations.  When  their  meeting-house 
6 


122  SL  Georges  Church, 

is  shut,  numbers  attend  Divine  service  at  church,  and 
we  Hve  on  very  amicable  terms. 

"  As  to  the  wild  set  at  Oyster  Bay,  they  must 
dwindle.  They  already  disagree  among  themselves. 
Opposition  would  raise  them  to  a  character  they 
can't  attain  of  themselves,  and  as  it  is  not  worth 
while  for  any  artful  person  to  make  himself  their 
head  and  form  them  into  a  regular  sect,  they  will, 
I  trust,  soon  sink  into  their  primitive  insignificance. 
The  masters  of  the  slaves  and  the  near  inhabitants- 
feel  the  principal  inconvenience." 

We  do  not  know  the  tenets  of  the  "wild  set"  to 
whom  Mr.  Cutting  alludes  in  the  above  extract,  but 
probably  they  were  the  sect  which  arose  in  1759,  and 
is  described  in  Chas.  S.  Wightman's  History  of  the 
Baptist  Church  in  Oyster  Bay,  as  '*  New  Lights,''  of 
which  a  certain  Madame  Townsend  was  the  ruling 
spirit.  One  of  its  tenets  was  tinrestrained  freedom  m 
speakijtg^  the  right  of  every  viember  of  the  churchy  in 
the  time  of  worship.  The  outcome  of  this  claim  was^ 
says  Wightman,  "  the  wildest  disorder  and  tumult."^ 

In  1775,  February  17,  Mr.  Cutting  reports  the 
baptism  of  thirty-six  children  and  seven  adults  dur- 
ing the  year,  and  the  admission  of  six  male  communi- 
cants. Mr.  John  Lefferts,  a  person  of  character,  has 
taken  the  school,  erected  by  the  Society  at  the  south 
of  Hempstead,  with  the  usual  salary  of;^io. 
'  We  have  no  information  when  the  schoolhouse 
above  mentioned  was  built ;  nor  have  we  been  able 
to  learn  where  it  was  located,  nor  is  there  any  record 
of  what  became  of  it. 

*  History  Bap.  Ch.,  Oyster  Bay,  p.  4. 


Rev.  Leonard  Cutting,  123 

Mr.  Cutting,  under  the  same  date,  mentions  that 
'**a  petition  had  been  received  from  the  Church 
Wardens,  &c.  in  Huntington,  Brookhaven,  Islip  and 
Queens  Village  for  a  Missionary  in  the  place  of  their 
late  worthy  pastor,  Mr.  Greaton,  with  the  former 
allowance  from  the  Society,  to  which  they  hope  they 
shall  be  able  to  add  ^20.  But  the  Society,  consider- 
ing the  proposed  subscription  as  insufficient,  nor 
properly  engaged  for,  on  the  part  of  the  petitioners, 
have  thought  it  advisable  for  the  present  to  postpone 
the  application." 

January  9,  1776,  Mr.  Cutting  states  that  Mr. 
Lefferts  continued  at  his  school  but  a  quarter  of  a 
year,  and  that  he  has  no  encouragement  to  attempt 
to  supply  the  vacancy.  The  Church  continues  in 
its  usual  state.  Thirty-three  children  and  eight 
adults  have  been  baptized,  and  five  new  communi- 
cants added. 

At  this  point  we  have  the  first  intimation  that  this 
parish  was  feeling  the  effects  of  the  political  turmoil 
which  was  upheaving  the  country,  and  whose  un- 
happy effects  were  to  be  felt  more  and  more  by  the 
parish,  but  not  by  any  means  to  such  a  disastrous 
extent  as  by  many  others  in  our  country.  This  inti- 
mation is  in  this  brief  paragraph  in  tlie  annual  report 
of  the  Venerable  Society,  viz.:  "Owing  to  the  gen- 
eral disturbance  in  the  Colonies,  the  accounts  are 
short  and  imperfect" 

In  fact  we  have  mention  of  but  two  more  letters 
being  sent  by  Mr.  Cutting  to  the  Society,  during  the 
war  of  the  revolution  ;  and  one  is  thus  referred  to 
in  their  report : 

*'  January  6,  1777. — The   Society  have  received 


124  '^^'  Georges  Church, 

one  letter  from  Mr.  Cutting,  whence  they  learn  that 
his  church  at  Hempstead  had  escaped  better  than 
was  expected,  but  that  he  was  obliged  to  shut  it  up 
for  three  Sundays  before  the  arrival  of  the  King's 
troops,  and  that  in  the  foregoing  year  he  had  not 
attended  at  Huntington,  thinking  it  not  advisable  to 
go  out  of  his  own  parish.  Since  his  last  he  has 
baptized  one  negro  child,  and  twenty-five  whites,  and 
five  white  adults  and  one  negro  woman." 

The  letter  of  which  an  abstract  of  its  contents  is 
thus  given  is  so  interesting,  and  conveys  such  a 
vigorous  representation  of  the  condition  of  the  parish 
and  of  this  part  of  the  country  in  those  "  troublous  " 
times,  that  we  herewith  give  it  at  length  : 

'^  Jan.  6,  1777. — In  the  turbulent  and  precarious 
situation  this  country  has  been  in  since  January  last, 
the  Church  here  and  at  Oysterbay  has  escaped  better 
than  was  expected.  The  people  in  general  in  this  par- 
ish and  through  the  whole  county  [of  Queens]  were 
profest  steady  Loyalists  and  opposed  to  the  utmost  of 
their  power  the  choosing  Delegates,  Committees,  &c. 
They  were  mdeed  harrassed  by  parties  from  almost 
every  P^o^^nce  ;  our  houses  often  filled  with  an  armed 
rabble  who  lived  at  free  quarters;  the  men  forced  to 
quit  their  habitations  and  conceal  themselves  in  woods 
and  swamps;  some  were  seized  and  carried  pris- 
oners to  Connecticut.  These  frequent  incursions, 
however,  and  this  temporary  distress  they  rather  chose 
to  suffer  than  submit  to  the  hourly  tyranny  of  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  basest  and  vilest  among  themselves  ;  and 
in  this  they  persisted  till  the  King's  troops  happily 
landed  on  this  Island.  In  this  distracted  state  the 
Church  was  often  threatened  by  banditties  from  the 
Jerseys  and  other  Provinces.  I  continued,  however, 
as  usual.     Divine  service  was  uninterrupted  for  some 


Rev,  Leonard  Cutting,  125 

weeks  after  Independence  was  declared  by  the  infatu- 
ated Congress,  and  the  Church  was  in  general  much 
better  filled  than  I  could  expect  from  the  perilous  situ- 
ation the  people  were  in.  Orders  were  often  issued 
from  some  distant  parts,  to  take  me  out  of  the  church, 
but  never  executed.  At  last  I  received  intimation 
that  as  this  was  the  only  church  in  this  and  the 
neighboring  Provinces  that  was  kept  open,  it  would  be 
particularly  marked  for  vengeance  ;  and  as  the  suc- 
ceeding Sunday  several  armed  men  were  sent  from 
various  districts,  we  were  advised,  though  with  re- 
luctance, to  shut  the  doors.  I  abstained  from  per- 
forming Divine  service  three  Sundays  at  Hempstead 
and  one  at  Oysterbay,  when  we  were  (by  the  blessing 
of  God)  relieved  by  His  Majesty's  forces,  since  which 
time  we  have  been  secure  and  undisturbed,  suffering 
now  only  in  common  with  others,  the  natural  though 
great  inconvenience  that  must  attend  every  place 
that  is  the  seat  of  war,  the  scarceness  and  dearness  of 
the  necessities  of  life. 

"The  Church  here  has  rather  gained,  I  think, 
during  this  unnatural  tumult,  for  it  is  with  pleasure 
said,  I  can  assure  you,  that  in  the  whole  parish  there 
were  not  above  three  who  called  themselves  Church- 
men amongst  the  malcontents,  and  as  there  was  no 
settled  Presbyterian  preacher  to  influence  the  minds 
of  the  people,  tlie  dissenters  were  left  to  their  own 
cool  judgment,  attended  the  Church  service,  and  in 
general  approved  of  and  joined  their  neighbors  in  the 
opposition  to  the  Congress. 

"  1  have  not  attended  the  vacant  church  at  Hunt- 
ington this  iast  year,  as  the  principal  persons  of  my 
congregation  thought  it  by  no  means  advisable  for  me 
to  go  out  of  my  own  parish. 

•*  I  have  written  some  particulars   to   the   Rev.  Dr. 

Chandler,    wliich  (as   he   knows   tlic   people)  may  be 

agreeable  to  him." 
6* 


126  Sf.  George's  Church, 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Bradbury  Chandler,  Rector  of 
St.  John's  Church,  Elizabethtown,  N.  J.,  is  here, 
meant.  He  was  a  man  of  eminent  qualities,  and  the 
author  of  a  work  appealing  strongly  for  Bishops  to  be 
provided  for  North  America.  Hcf- was  in  England 
from  1775  to  1785.  A  daughter  of  Dr.  Chandler  be- 
came the  wife  of  Bishop  Hobart ;  who  was  in  a  few 
years  to  succeed  Mr.  Cutting. 

It  will  be  seen  from  Mr.  Cutting's  letter  that  this, 
parish  had  not  been  able  to  evade  sharing  in  that 
great  struggle  of  our  forefathers  which  was  to  end  in 
sundering  the  colonies  from  the  mother  country  and 
in  dissolving  the  connection — which  had  been  fruitful 
in  results  which  were  to  bless  unnumbered  genera- 
tions— between  the  clergy  and  people  of  the  Protest- 
ant Episcopal  Church  in  America  and  the  Venerable 
Society  which  had  faithfully  acted  as  a  nursing 
mother  of  the  Church  here  for  many  years. 

The  situation  of  Mr.  Cutting  and  his  parish  in 
this  trying  struggle  was  favorable  for  continued  pros- 
perity. Minister  and  people  were  of  one  mind.. 
Almost  all  Avere  Loyalists.  Indeed,  nearly  the  whole 
of  Queens  County  adhered  to  the  side  of  the  King 
and  Parhament.  Sabine^  says,  that  ''  in  1776,  1293 
persons  in  Queens  County  were  avowed  Loyalists,  or 
Tories."  In  most  of  the  parishes  in  the  country,  the 
political  sentiments  of  the  clergy  not  according  with 
those  of  their  people,  led  to  the  abrupt  dissolution  of 
their  relations  to  each  other,  and  left  the  clergymaa 
without  a  parish  and  without  any  means  of  support. 

But  the  unanimity  of  political  views  between   Mr^ 

*  American  Loyalists,  p.  17. 


Rev.    Leonard   Cutting.  127 

Cutting  and  his  parishioners  did  not  wholly  secure 
him  and  them  from  annoyance.  We  see  from  his 
letter  that  service  in  the  church  had  been  suspended 
for  three  Sundays.*  We  may  conclude,  therefore, 
that  the  friends  of  the  colonial  cause,  to  whom  the 
prayers  for  the  King  and  royal  family  were  obnox- 
ious, were  at  work  here  using  repressive  measures. 
And  this  interruption  of  services  may  be  explained  by 
and  sustains  the  statement  of  Judge  Thomas  Jones, 
who  was  a  member  of  this  parish  at  that  time,  in  his 
recently  published  '*  History  of  New  York  during  the 
Revolutionary  War."  "  Col.  Cornell,  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Line,  of  the  Continental  Army,"  says  he, 
"  with  1000  men,  established  his  head-quarters  at 
Hempstead,  seeking  out  Tories.  He  converted  the 
Episcopal  Church  into  a  store  house,  forbid  the 
parson  to  pray  for  the  King  or  any  of  the  royal 
family,  and  made  use  of  the  communion  table  as  a 
convenience  for  his  Yankees  to  eat  upon."t 

How  long  Col.  Cornell  remained  here  is  not  known, 
but  probably  not  long,  for  in  August,  1776,  the 
British  troops  landed  upon  Long  Island,  and  the 
17th  Light  Dragoons  took  up  their  quarters  here. 
Henceforth  Hempstead  became  a  retreat  for  many 
royalists  banished  from  other  places.  Of  this  number 
was  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mansfield  from  Derby,  in  Connecti- 
cut. 

Nov.  21,  1778,  the  Hon.  Josiah  Martin  died  at  his 
seat.  Rock  Hall,  Rockaway.     He  had  been  Governor 


'*=  Mr.  Cutting,  in  1776,  removed  the  rOyal  coat  of  arms  and  other 
things  from  tlie  churcli. — H.  Onderdonk,  Jr.,  p.  15. 
\  Vol.  I,  p.  109. 


128  Sf.  George's  Church, 

of  the  Province  of  North  Carolina.  But  at  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war  his  Tory  principles  made  him  ob- 
noxious to  the  Whigs  of  that  province,  and  he  was. 
obliged  to  flee  from  it,  leaving  a  large  landed  estate 
in  North  Carolina,  which  was  confiscated.^  He 
established  himself  at  Rockaway,  and  built  Rock. 
Hall  for  his  residence.  The  architect  or  draftsman. 
was  Timothy  Clowes,  who  also  drafted  the  plan  of 
the  present  St.  George's  Church.  Said  Timothy 
was  son  of  Geradus,  who  was  son  of  Samuel,  who 
came  from  England  ;  lived  in  Jamaica,  and  was  a 
member  of  that  parish  at  the  time  of  its  prolonged 
troubles.  In  Rock  Hall  there  is  still  a  fine  painting 
by  Sir  John  Copely,  representing  a  child  playing  ^vith 
a  dog.  The  child's  portrait  is  that  of  one  of  Gov- 
ernor Martin's  family.  The  widow  of  Governor 
Martin  died  in  1825,  in  New  York  city,  in  a  house 
standing  on  what  is  now  the  site  of  the  Astor  House. f 
Governor  Martin  was  the  father  of  Dr.  Samuel. 
Martin,  of  whom  we  shall  hear  more  ;  who  also  died 
at  Rock  Hall,  April  19,  1806,  aged  sixty-six  years,, 
and  was  buried  under  the  then  chancel  of  St.  George's 
Church.  On  the  removal  of  the  church  to  a  dif- 
ferent position,  his  grave  was  left  unmarked. 

When  the  British  troops  took  up  their  quarters  ia 
Hempstead  it  was  reasonably  expected  that  the  pre- 
dominant Tory  element  here  would  cause  the  troops 
to  show  them  particular  favor.  In  this  expectation, 
they  were  doomed  to  be  greatly  disappointed. 
Judge  Jones,  who  was  himself  a  distinguislied  up- 
holder of  the  royal   cause,  and   a  most  determined 

*  Sabin's  Loyalists.  \  Furman,  p.  150. 


Rev,  Leonard  Cutting,  129 

opponent  of  the  Federal  Congress  and  troops  and 
•cause,  suffered  annoyance  and  loss  from  those  he 
supposed  would  befriend  all  loyalists.  It  is  not  sur- 
prising therefore  that  he  should  say,  somewhat  tartly, 
"  Instead  of  finding  protectors  in  the  King's  troops, 
they  (the  royalists)  were  most  scandalously,  barbar- 
ously, and  indiscriminately  plundered  ;  suffered  every 
insult  and  abuse  during  the  whole  war  ;  could  never 
obtain  redress  either  from  generals  or  governors.'"* 

The  Presbyterian  church  in  Hempstead  was  seized 
•and  converted  to  military  uses.  The  Episcopal  church 
— whose  Rector  was  an  Englishman,  and  an  up- 
holder of  the  cause  of  the  King,  and  whose  prayers 
•for  him  were  constantly  used, — where  the  officers  of 
the  army  attended,  and  the  Chaplain  of  the  army,  the 
JR.ev.  Elias  Cooper  frequently  officiated — even  this 
was  not  exempt  from  intrusion. 

In  the  account  of  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry  of  St 
George's  Church,  held  Feb.  4th,  1780,  it  is  stated 
that  application  had  been  made  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cut- 
ting, by  the  commander  of  the  British  troops,  for  the 
use  of  a  part  of  the  church  for  a  granary,  and  that 
Dr.  Samuel  Martin  and  Mr.  Leftert  Haughwout 
having  been  appointed  a  committee,  waited  on  the 
commander,  who  withdrew  his  request  and  left  the 
church  free  from  desecration.  Two  months  after  this, 
the  Rector  and  Vestry  found  themselves  obliged  to 
forward  a  protest  to  Lt.  Col.  Birch,  then  in  command 
of  the  British  troops,  quartered  here,  in  respect  to  an 
■**  outrage   committed  by  one   Cornet  Searle  of  the 

*  Vol.  I,  p.  Ill,  note. 


130  S^.  George's  Church, 

17th  Dragoons,  during  service  on  Whitsunday,  by 
which  the  whole  congregation  had  been  offended ;  and 
beg  redress  and  protection  for  the  future."  The  pro- 
test was  not  in  vain.  Cornet  Searle  was  required  to 
send  a  letter  of  apology,  which  he  did  in  the  following 
terms,  on  the  29th  of  May,  1780: 

*'  Sir — It  was  never  my  intention  by  the  circum- 
stances last  Sunday  to  give  any  general  offence  to 
the  inhabitants.  Had  I  forseen  it  could  have  been 
taken  in  so  serious  a  light,  I  should  have  saved  you  this 
trouble  with  pleasure. — Through  you,  however,  as 
minister  of  the  church,  I  feel  myself  bound  to  make 
every  acknowledgment  to  the  congregation,  and  as 
nothing  is  further  from  my  mind  than  to  disobhge,  so 
I  shall  always  be  happy  to  apologize. 

''\  am  &c.,  Your  Most  Obed't  Servant, 

Chas.  Searle, 
Thursday  night.  i  'jth  Light  Dragoons. 

Rev.  Mr.  Cutting,  Hempstead^' 

This  stiff  and  evidently  reluctant  approach  to  an 
apology  the  Vestry  felt  it  best  to  accept  and  be  satis- 
fied with,  and  they  passed  the  following  resolutions: 

^'Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  Vestry  that 
by  the  kind  behavior  of  Colonel  Birch  the  Honour 
and  Peace  of  the  Church  is  (sic)  Secured. 

Resolved,  That  in  consideration  of  the  thoughtless- 
ness of  youth,  the  Vestry  are  willing  to  accept  of  the 
apology  of  Cornet  Searle  for  this  time,  in  full  assur- 
ance that  they  shall  have  no  cause  of  complaint  for  the 
future. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cutting  and  Dr.  Sam- 
uel Martin  wait  upon  Colonel  Birch  to  thank  him  for 
so  kindly  exerting  himself  to  redress  the  Insult  offered 


Rev,  Leonard  Cutting,  131 

the  Church,  and  acquaint  the  Colonel  that  the  Vestry- 
is  satisfied,  and  rest  assured  of  his  future  Protection. 

Resolved,  That  Cornet  Searle's  Letter  be  entered 
into  the  Records  of  the  Church." 

Again,  in  April  of  the  following  year,  the  Vestry 
found  it  necessary  to  take  the  position  of  complain- 
ants; as  the  following  action  of  the  Vestry,  April  11, 
1782,  shows: 

**  Resolved,  That  the  Church-Wardens  do  wait  upon 
Captain  Archdale,  commanding  officer  at  Hempstead, 
to  complain  in  the  name  of  the  whole  Congregation 
of  an  outrageous  insult  committed  on  Saturday  night, 
the  30th  of  March  last,  by  boisterously  breaking  open 
the  doors  of  the  church,  and  various  other  riotous 
acts,  committed  against  Religion,  and  the  peace  of-tbe 
Congregation  by  Cornets  Sinclaire,  Loyd,  De  Lancy 
and  others,  and  to  beg  Redress  for  the  present  injury 
and  protection  in  future. 

"  At  the  same  time  the  Vestry  beg  leave  to  observe, 
that  Mr.  Sinclaire,  as  a  gentleman,  has  expressed 
much  concern,  and  made  such  an  apology  as  the 
circumstances  of  the  case  will  admit." 

At  the  same  time  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cutting  produced 
a  letter  from  Mr.  George  D.  Ludlow,  wherein  he  (Mr. 
Ludlow)  declines  acting  at  all  in  the  affair,  or  giving 
his  opinion  as  a  Vestryman,  and  desired  that  at  the 
ensuing  Election  some  other  Person  might  be  chosen 
to  serve  in  the  Vestry  in  his  Room. 

The  Honorable  George  Duncan  Ludlow,  Esq., 
had  been  elected  a  Vestryman  Oct.  3,  1780,  in  the 
place  of  Mr.  James  Turner,  deceased. 

And  doubtless  it  was  thought  that  the  Vestry  had 
greatly  strengthened  itself  by  the  acquisition  of  a  per- 


132  S^.  Georres  Church, 

son  of  such  standing  and  influence.  His  refusal  to 
join  in  a  protest  against  the  impious  acts  of  the 
young  British  officers  must  therefore  have  been  an 
unpleasant  surprise  to  his  associates;  and  it  can  be 
accounted  for  only  on  the  supposition  that  he  was. 
afraid  that  his  position  as  an  adherent  to  the  British 
cause  would  be  endangered  if  he  made  any  opposi- 
tion to  the  acts  of  any  member  of  the  British  army. 
He  had  a  high  and  lucrative  office,  and  was  anxious 
to  keep  it.  He  was  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  New  York.  And  when  martial  law  supplanted 
civil  law  in  the  State,  Mr.  Ludlow  was  appointed  by 
Gov.  Robertson,  in  1780,  the  Master  of  Rolls  or 
Superintendent  of  Police  of  Long  Island  ;  this  Police, 
as  it  was  called,  taking  the  place  of  all  courts  and 
proceeding  in  a  most  summary — and,  not  infrequent- 
ly, most  arbitrary  manner  to  dispense  justice  accord- 
ing to  rules  of  its  own  making.  Mr.  Ludlow  freed. 
himself  from  all  suspicion  of  being  half-hearted  in  the 
Loyalist  cause  or  of  being  too  lenient  towards  the- 
aiders  and  abettors  of  the  rebel  Washington  and  his 
companions  in  arms.  Mr.  Ludlow  therefore  shunned 
to  appear  to  side  against  Capt  Archedale  and  for 
the  parish  of  which  he  was  a  member  and  an  offi- 
cer. 

Mr.  George  Duncan  Ludlow's  name  appears  in  the 
list  of  those  affected  by  the  Act  of  Attainder  passed 
by  the  Legislature  of  New  York,  Oct  22,  1779,  and 
by  which  his  estate  at  Hyde  Park,  as  now  called,  was 
confiscated  and  himself  outlawed.  And  when,  by  the 
issue  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  the  rebels  took  pos- 
session of  the  land,  Mr.  George  D.  Ludlow  went  into 


Rev.  Leonard  Ctttting,  1 3  J, 

exile  and  died  in  Frederickton,  New  Brunswick,  Feb. 
1808. 

But  to  return  to  the  case  of  Capt.  Archedale. 

On  the  31st  May,  1782,  the  Church  Wardens  re- 
ported, at  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  that  the)^  had 
waited  upoji  Capt.  Archedale  with  the  complaint  they 
were  directed  to  make,  but  that  their  reception  was- 
by  no  means  satisfactory.  The  Rector  stated  that 
Capt.  Archedale  had  met  him  on  the  road  and  told 
him  he  had  given  the  young  officers  a  severe  lecture. 
But  the  Vestry  were  naturally  disincHned  to  accept 
of  this  declaration  as  a  proper  answer  to  their  formal 
complaint,  and  so — 

"The  Vestry  unanimously  declare  that  they  are  dis- 
satisfied with  the  ungenteel  behaviour  of  Capt.  Arche- 
dale, and  defer  the  consideration  of  the  affair  till  a 
future  day." 

That  day  never  came.  The  tide  was  turning  in. 
favor  of  the  Continental  arms  and  the  British  troops- 
were  ere  long  to  abandon  this  land.  Besides  the 
above-mentioned  annoyances  and  troubles  to  which 
the  members  of  this  parish  were  subjected  during  the 
Revolutionary  war,  although  it  was  exceptionally  fa- 
vored in  having  among  its  members  persons  of  great 
influence  and  authority  with  the  English  Government, 
there  were  many  others,  to  which  allusion  is  made  in 
the  correspondence  of  the  Rector. 

In  a  letter  to  the  officers  of  the  county  whose  duty 
it  was  to  collect  and  pay  over  the  stipend  which  the 
law  assigned  to  the  minister  of  this  parish,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Cutting  complains  that  they  had  not  paid  him 
what  was  due  him  for  several  years'  service  at  Oyster 


134  ^^-  George  s  Church, 

Bay.  **  You  must  think  it  hard/'  says  he,  "  for  ser- 
vices thro'  all  weathers  for  so  long  a  time,  attended 
with  fatigue  to  myself  and  expense  in  horses,  should 
pass  unrewarded." 

The  following  letter,  dated  December  9,  1781,  and 
probably  intended  to  reach  the  Venerable  Society, 
details  some  additional  troubles  which  Mr.  Cutting 
encountered,  together  with  his  efforts  to  obtain  recom- 
pense for  losses  which  he  had  sustained. 

**  My  situation  obliges  me  to  trust  my  letters  to  a 
friend,  generally  to  the  gentleman  who  takes  my  bills. 
In  respect  to  the  schools,  Mr.  Timothy  Wetmore  is  at 
present  provided  for.  Mr.  James  Wetmore  I  know 
not ;  and  if  I  did,  it  would  be  to  no  purpose,  as  the 
rapacity  of  an  officer  of  rank  [Col.  Birch]  has  put  an 
end  to  all  hopes  of  that  kind.  When  the  1 7th  Light 
Dragoons  came  to  Hempstead  in  1778,  the  command- 
ing officer,  after  various  acts  of  violence  and  oppres- 
sion too  tedious  to  mention  (and  by  which  I  suffered 
considerably  in  my  property),  at  length  moved  a 
public  building  [the  cage]  which  he  had  used  as  a 
guard-house,  and  joined  it  to  a  house  he  had  seized 
with  some  land  (the  owner  [Mr.  Samuel  Pintard] 
being  then  in  England),  converted  the  school  to  a 
guard-house,  and  appropriated  to  his  own  use  three 
acres  of  land  allotted  for  the  benefit  of  the  school- 
master. In  1780  this  officer  was  removed  to  a  very 
high  command  in  New  York.  We  then  had  assur- 
ance that  the  school  and  land  should  be  restored. 
In  this  expectation  I  wrote  to  the  Society ;  but  as 
[yet]  his  worse  than  useless  regiment  has  been  scarce 
out  of  the  smoke  of  Hempstead  since  its  first  arrival. 
He  still  keeps  possession  of  all.  This  is  one,  and 
perhaps  the  most  trifling  instance  of  a  thousand,  that 
might  be  produced  of  the  tyranny  we  groan  unden 


Rev,  Leonard  Ctittmg.  135 

Where  the  army  is,  oppression  (such  as  in  England 
you  have  no  conception  of)  universally  prevails. 
We  have  nothing  we  can  call  our  own,  and  the  door 
to  redress  is  inaccessible.  What  a  state  must  that 
people  be  in  who  can  find  relief  neither  from  law, 
justice  nor  humanity,  where  the  military  is  concerned  ! 
This  is  the  case  of  the  inhabitants  within  the  King's 
lines.  In  regard  to  myself  I  have  often  applied  for 
redress ;  first  in  1778,  to  Mr.  Eden,  one  of  the  Com- 
missioners, from  whom  I  had  a  letter  to  head-quarters, 
which,  however,  was  ineffectual.  On  other  occasions 
I  tried  memorials  to  as  little  purpose.  Necessity 
obliged  me  to  apply  more  attentively  to  the  earth  for 
subsistence,  and  an  advantageous  purchase  present- 
ing, a  friend  kindly  lent  me  the  money  to  secure  it. 
I  now  hoped  to  provide  for  my  family  in  spite  of 
oppression.  How  I  was  disappointed  the  enclosed 
memorial  [to  Governor  Robertson]  will  show.  It 
had  no  effect.  Whether  it  proceeded  from  want  of 
power  or  something  else  in  the  Governor  is  not  for 
me  to  determine.  Hospitals  and  everything  of  that 
kind  are,  I  know,  fully  charged  to  governments,  and 
when  private  property  is  thus  violently  seized,  it  is 
only  to  fill  the  purse  of  the  oppressor." 

"  The  memorial  of  Leonard  Cutting  humbly  show- 
eth  that  the  means  for  subsistence  for  my  family 
having  been  much  impaired  by  the  present  times,  I 
some  time  since  made  a  purchase  of  a  dwelling-house 
and  about  twenty- five  acres  of  land  near  the  town- 
spot  of  Hempstead.  During  the  last  winter,  while  I 
was  a  proprietor  of  it,  the  house  was  occupied  as  a 
hospital  for  the  17th  Regiment  of  Light  Dragoons; 
that  no  rent  being  allowed  by  them,  I  applied  to 
Your  Excellency  for  allowance  of  rent,  or  for  the  re- 
moval of  the  troops;  that  the  troops  continued  in  it 
till  July  or  August  last,  and  then  left  it  in  a  ruinous 
condition,  saying    they  had  no  further    use    for    it 


136  S^.  Georges  Church, 

Wishing  since  to  make  the  most  advantageous  use  of 
it  for  the  support  of  my  family,  I  have  been  at  con- 
siderable expense  in  repairing  the  house,  and  have 
let  it  to  a  tenant  for  the  ensuing  winter,  who  was  put 
in  possession  of  it.  I  have  also  on  the  land  upwards 
of  fourteen  acres  of  winter  grain,  and  have  contract- 
ed to  let  the  house  and  one  acre  of  land  for  a  year 
from  next  spring  at  a  rent  of  ^50.  On  October  28th, 
by  order  of  the  commanding  officer  of  the  above-said 
regiment,  said  house  was  broken  open  and  entered 
into  by  violence,  and  possession  taken  of  it  for  the 
purpose  of  a  hospital ;  and  I  am  the  more  astonished 
.at  a  measure  so  injurious  to  me,  after  sustaining  last 
winter  the  burden  of  having  the  same  house  employ- 
ed for  the  public  use  without  receiving  any  compen- 
sation for  it.  At  present  my  winter  grain,  in  the 
midst  of  which  is  the  house,  will  be  exposed  to 
destruction  if  the  hospital  is  continued  in  it.  I  beg 
leave  to  complain  of  an  unjustifiable  violation  of  my 
property  and  of  an  unreasonable  imposition  on  me; 
nor  can  I  help  feeling  the  distresses  to  which  my  family 
must  be  exposed  when  stript  of  so  considerable  a  part 
of  the  slender  means  I  have  for  their  support.  I  hope 
for  redress  from  your  humanity  and  your  well  known 
justice,  and  pray  Your  Excellency  will  order  the 
house  to  be  restored  to  me  or  rent  given  for  the  use 
of  it." 

The  parish  records  bear  testimony  of  the  presence 
of  the  British  forces  in  this  neighborhood  during  the 
war  in  numerous  entries  of  the  marriages  of  officers  and 
privates  by  Mr.  Cutting,  and  of  the  baptism  of*  children 
whose  parents  are  designated  as  being  connected  with 
some  British  regiment,  of  De  Lancey's  Brigade.  In 
some  instances  those  who  formed  alliances  here  either 
remained  after  the  disbanding  of  the  army,  or  returned 


Rev,  Leonard  Cutting,  137 

afterwards,  and  are  the  progenitors  of  a  number  of 
influential  families  on  Long  Island. 

When  the  war  terminated  favorably  for  Congress- 
and  the  Continental  forces,  Mr.  Cutting  could  not 
comfortably,  nor,  perhaps,  safely  remain  in  the  Rector- 
ship. He  left  the  parish  probably  quite  informally, 
as  there  is  no  record  of  his  resignation  or  the  time  of 
his  departure,  and  only  this  reference  to  it,  viz.  : 

^'' Dec,  1784. — Rev.  Mr.  Cutting  having  acquainted 
the  Church  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  his  resolution 
to  leave  the  Parish,  it  was  agreed  Mr.  Stephen 
Carman  should  wait  upon  Mr.  Moore  and  acquaint 
him  it  was  their  request  he  should  appoint  some 
day  on  which  to  preach  at  Hempstead."  "^ 

From  Hempstead  Mr.  Cutting  appears  to  have 
retired  to  Maryland,  for  among  the  names  of  the 
clergy  of  that  State  who  signed  a  recommendation 
for  Dr.  William  Smith  for  the  office  of  a  Bishop,  and 
which  is  dated  Annapolis,  Aug,  16,  1783,  is  that  of 
"  Leo.  Cutting,  All- Hallows  Parish,  Worcester  Co."t 

Yet  again,  hi  the  list  of  clergymen  mentioned  by 
Bishop  White,:|:  as  attending  the  Preliminary  Con- 
vention of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  Oct.  d 
and  7,  1784,  is  that  of  "  Cutting." 

He  officiated  first  at  Snow  Hill,  Maryland,  and  was 
called  thence  to  the  charge  of  Christ  Church,  New- 
bern^,  North  Carolina,  where  he  officiated  for  nearly 
eight  years.  He  is  thus  referred  to  in  the  minutes 
of  the  Committee  appointed  to  forward  an  address  to- 


*  Records  of  Vestry,  p.  io6. 

f  Per  V  ■>  His.  Notes  and  Doc,  vol.  3,  p.  338. 

X  Memoirs,  second  edition,  p,  79. 


138  Sf.  George's  Church, 

the  Archbishops  of  Canterbury  and  York  :  "  The  let- 
ter to  the  Clergy  of  North  Carolina,  addressed  to  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Cutting,  to  be  communicated,  was,"  Sc."^ 

In  1792  he  was  appointed  Secretary  to  the  House 
of  Bishops,  on  the  resignation  of  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Keene.t  In  1793,  as  appears  by  the  Journal  of  the 
Diocese  of  New  York,  (p.  6^^  Onderdonk's  reprint,) 
a  deed  of  gift  of  Christ  Church,  Duanesburgh,  is 
attested  by  **  Leonard  Cutting,  Minister  of  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church,  United  States."  From 
the  assertion  of  this  attestation  it  is  evident  that 
Mr.  Cutting  had  submitted  fully  to  the  change  in 
the  ecclesiastical  relations  which  had  resulted  for  him 
by  the  issue  of  the  Revolutionary  struggle.  After 
residing  in  New  York  city  for  about  two  years  after 
he  removed  from  Newberne,  he  was  prostrated  by  an 
apoplectic  fit,  from  which  he  died,  January  25,  1794, 
in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age.  The  following 
notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  Daily  Advertiser 
of  January  28,  1794:  % 

"  Died,  on  the  25th  inst.,  after  a  very  short  illness,. 
Rev.  Leonard  Cutting,  aged  69  years  ;  formerly  Pro- 
fessor of  Greek  and  Latin  Languages  in  King's  (now 
Columbia)  College ;  then  Rector  of  St.  George's 
Church,  Hempstead,  Long  Island,  and  late  Rector  of 
Christ  Church,  Newbern,  North  Carolina.  For  learn- 
ing, probity,  unaffected  piety,  and  a  generous  spirit  of 
independence,  respected,  esteemed  and  beloved, 
equally  by  his  pupils,  his  parishioners,  and  his 
friends." 

*  Perry's  Hist.  Notes,  &c.,  Vol.  3,  p.  398. 
\  Perry's  Journal,  Vol.  I,. p.  163. 
X  Sprague,  Epis.  Pulpit,  p.  226. 


Rev.    Leonard   Cutting,  139 

Mr.  Cutting  left  two  children,  William  and  Charles 
Spencer.     The  record  of  their  baptisms  is  as  follows : 


\^ 


**l'J73 — Sspt.  ye  ^th — Baptized  at  Hempstead, 
William  son  of  Leonard 

and  \  of  Hempstead. 

Ann  Frances  Cutting 

Sponsors. 

Rev.  Dr.  Cooper,  President  of  King's  College, 

Capt.  Samuel  Pintard, 

Frances  Ludlow." 

**  1782,  May  the  79;'/^.— Baptized  at  Hempstead, 

Charles  Spencer,  son  of  Leonard  \         ^      . 

Ann  Frances     S  "^  ""-p"'*"^- 

Sponsors. 
Rev.  Mr.  Cooke, 
Dr.  Samuel  Martin, 
Mrs.  Mary  Pintard." 

William  became  a  lawyer.  In  1800  he  married 
Gertrude,  daughter  of  Walter  Livingstone.  A  sister 
of  Mrs.  Gertrude  Cutting  married  Robert  Fulton. 
William  died .  in  1820,  leaving  six  sons  and  two 
daughters. 

Mrs.  Cutting  continued  to  reside  in  Hempstead 
after  her  husband  left  the  parish,  and  held  possession 
of  the  parish  plate  and  books  until  urgently  requested 
by  the  Vestry  to  deliver  them  up.  She  died  in  Phil- 
adelphia in  1803.''' 

Mr.  Cutting  is  represented  to  have  been  short  in 
stature  and  of  a  slender  frame  ;  amiable,  cheerful  and 
agreeable  in  manners,  and  fond  of  social  intercourse. 
His  costume,  after  the  fashion  of  that  day,  was  a 
black  velvet  coat,   small  clothes  with  buckles  at  the 

*  Sabin's  Loyalists,  p.  239. 


140  S^,  George's  Churchy 

knee  and  in  his  shoes.  His  hair  was  powdered,  and 
he  wore  a  three-cornered  hat.  His  venerable  and 
dignified  appearance  made  an  impression  on  the 
memory  of  persons  who  saw  him  in  their  youth,  and 
who  have  given  me  this  description,  which  they 
vividly  retained,  after  a  lapse  of  more  than  seventy 
years. 


CHAPTER    V. 
1784— 1799. 

WITH  the  close  of  Mr.  Cutting's  Rectorship  a 
new  era  opened  in  the  history  of  St.  George's 
Parish. 

By  the  changes  wrought  by  the  recognition  of  our 
coantry  as  an  independent  nation,  the  Church  fol- 
lowed the  fortune  of  the  State  in  being  sundered  from 
the  mother  country.  The  connection  of  the  Mission- 
ary parishes  with  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of 
the  Gospel,  which,  for  near  a  century,  had  been  a 
nursing  mother  to  this  and  other  parishes,  was  broken, 
and  the  people  were  henceforth  obliged  to  tax  their 
own  resources  for  the  support  of  their  ministers,  and 
to  act  in  all  things  according  only  to  the  dictates  of 
their  own  discretion  and  wisdom. 

The  parish  had  so  decidedly  favored  the  Royal 
cause  that  it  would  have  been  a  matter  of  little  sur- 
prise if,  at  the  turn  of  affairs,  it  should  have  been 
well-nigh  extinguished  ;  for  such  was  the  fate  of  many 
a  parish  in  other  parts  of  the  land.  It  was  weakened 
by  the  departure  of  some  of  its  families  to  Nova 
Scotia  and  other  of  the  British  Possessions,  and  it 
felt  especially  the  loss  of  such  prominent  and  influ- 


142  St.  George's   Church. 

-ential  members  as  Judge  Thomas  Jones,  the  author 
of  the  recently  pubHshed  history,  from  the  Tory 
point  of  view,  of  New  York  in  the  Revolutionary 
war ;  George  Duncan  Ludlow  and  Daniel  Kissam. 

But  in  God's  good  providence  it  suffered  less  than 
might  have  been  reasonably  expected.  The  articles  of 
its  Charter  made  adequate  provision  for  the  exigency 
which  had  arisen,  and  enabled  it  to  enter  readily  on 
an  independent  course  of  life.  And  the  Vestry  which 
Avas  in  existence  at  Mr.  Cutting's  departure,  promptly 
assumed  the  responsibilities  devolved  upon  them, 
-and  sought  at  once  to  fill  the  vacancy  in  the  Rector- 
ship. And  yet  their  proceedings  indicate  a  measure 
♦of  inexpertness  and  indecision  for  a  time,  as  that  of 
persons  unaccustomed  to  the. helm.  This  becomes 
apparent  in  the  following  record.  First,  on  the  9th 
of  January,  1785,  the  congregation  were  notified  to 
assemble  the  next  day.  On  the  lOth  of  January  they 
assembled  accordingly,  and  ''agreed  unanimously  to 
call  Mr.  Moore,  and  allow  him  for  two- thirds  of  his 
jninisterial  services  at  St.  George's  Church,  the  sum 
of  One  Hundred  Pounds  New  York  currency,  and 
also  to  put  him  in  possession  of  all  and  singular  the 
Privileges  belonging  to  said  Church."  This  call,  it 
Avill  be  perceived,  was  not — as  heretofore — by  the 
Vestry,  but  by  the  congregation  :  and  that  although 
the  Charter  expressly  "■  declares  and  grants  that — 
the  presentation  of  and  to  the  said  church  and  parish 
— shall  appertain  and  belong  to  and  be  hereby 
vested  in  the  Church  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of 
Saint  George's  in  the  parish  of  Hempstead  aforesaid, 
for  the  time  being,  and  their  successors  forever,  or  to 


Rev,    Tkos.  Lambert  Moore.  143 

the  major  part  of  them,  whereof  one  Church  Warden 
always  to  be  one." 

But  the  call  was  accepted  by  Mr.  Moore,  and  the 
Parish  Records^^  state  that  *'on  Thursday,  20th  of 
January,  (1785)  Mr.  Moore  removed  to  Hempstead, 
and  on  the  23rd  of  same  Month  gave  Public  notice 
to  the  congregation — '  That  Thursday,  8th  February, 
was  appointed  the  Day  for  choosing  Trustees  to  take 
charge  of  the  Temporalities  of  the  Church,*  which 
notice  was  continued  for  three  successive  Sabbaths." 

"  Zth  February. — The  Congregation  assembled  for 
the  purpose  above  mentioned,  unanimously  made 
choice  of  the  following  gentlemen  to  fill  that  office — 
Namely — Messrs.  George  Hewlett,  Andrew  Onder- 
donk,  Stephen  Hewlett,  Thos.  Clowes,  Jr.,  Israel 
Smith  and  Richard  Thorne.  A  certificate  of  which 
Election  wasf —  before  Judge  Smith, 

and  registered  a  few  days  after  by  the  County  Clark."' 

The  gentlemen  thus  chosen  Trustees  were  not  the 
same  as  the  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  at  that  time,  as 
will  be  seen  by  comparing  the  names  presently  to  be 
given,  but  were  a  distinct  body  of  men. 

Mr.  Moore  having  accepted  the  invitation  to  the 
rectorship, — the  next  step  was  to  give  him  formal  in- 
troduction into  the  office.  How  should  this  be  done^ 
Heretofore  the  civil  authorities  had  issued  a  precept 
to  some  one  to  see  that  this  was  done,  and  to  certify 
to  it.  But  the  authority  of  those  to  whom  this  duty 
had  fallen  was  now  abrogated,  and  there  was  no  Bishop 
in  the  country  to  assume  the  duty.  There  was  no  farm 
then  provided  in  the  Prayer-  Book  for  the  Induction  or 

♦  p.  107.  I  Blank  in  the  original  entry. 


144  '^^'  George's  Church. 

Institution  of  Ministers.  The  Vestry  were  thrown 
upon  the  suggestions  of  their  own  judgment  in  meet- 
ing this  exigency.  And  it  is  interestmg  to  see  what 
their  action  was.  They  wisely  adopted  a  form  of  pro- 
ceeding, continuing  the  custom,  instead  of  pleading  the 
novelty  of  their  position  as  an  excuse  for  neglecting  it  ; 
and  did  the  best  they  could  under  the  circumstances, 
and  that  best  could  hardly  have  been  bettered.  The 
parish  records,  under  date  of  Feb.  24,  1785,  state  that 
one  of  the  Church  Wardens,  Mr.  Haugewout,  and  sev- 
eral of  the  congregation  assembled  on  that  day  at  the 
church  agreeably  to  notice  given  them  the  previous 
Sunday  morning,  the  20th  inst.,  to  Induct  Mr.  Moore; 
but  as  few  of  the  Vestry  were  present,  the  weather  ex- 
tremely stormy,  and  an  error  appeared  in  the  call  and 
certificate  of  Induction,  it  was  postponed  till  Thurs- 
day, the  3d  of  March  ensuing. 

'*3d  March. — The  Church-Wardens,  Vestrymen 
and  Congregation  being  assembled,  proceeded  to  In- 
duct Mr.  Moore — when  the  Following  Call  and  Cer- 
tificate of  Induction  being  read,  and  Mr.  Moore's 
letters  of  Orders  examined — He  was  put  in  full  pos- 
session of  the  Parish — with  all,  its  rights,  dignities,  and 
appurtenances  as  formerly  held  and  enjoyed  by  all 
former  Rectors." 

A  copy  of  the  Call  given  to  Mr.  Moore : 

"[l.  S.]  Whereas  the  Rev'd  Mr.  Leonard  Cutting, 
late  Rector  and  Clerk  of  the  Parish  Church  of  St 
George,  in  South  Hempstead,  has  voluntarily  vacated 
the  said  Church :  We  the  Church  Wardens  and 
Vestrymen  have  by  and  with  the  consent  of  the  Con- 
gregation of  said  Church,  unanimously  Called  the 
Rev'd  Mr.  Thomas  Lambert  Moore  to  supply  the 


Rev.  Thos.  Lambert  Moore.  145 

Place  of  the  Rev'd  Mr.  Leonard  Cutting :  and  after 
Induction  to  enjoy  all  and  singular  the  Rights,  Priv- 
ileges, and  Appurtenances  to  the  said  Church  belong- 
ing or  any  way  appertaining  as  heretofore  held  and 
enjoyed. — In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set 
our  hands  and  seals,  and  affixed  the  seal  of  our  Cor- 
poration, this  third  day  of  March,  One  Thousand 
Seven  hundred  and  Eighty-five. 

Leffert  Haugewout, 
James  Wood, 

f    Sam'l  Martin, 

I     Richard  Hewlet, 


_L.  S.; 

L.  S.' 


Church  Wardens.  \ 


Vestrymen,  j     Cornelius  V.  Nostrandt, 
'     Martin  V.  Nostrandt, 
George  Watts, 
G.  Beldwin  (his  X  mark) 
"  A  true  copy  from  original." 

Then  follows  the  form  of  Induction  used  in  this, 
probably,  first  instance  of  the  Induction  of  a  Rector 
into  an  Episcopal  Church  in  North  America  after  the 
separation  of  the  States  from  the  mother  country. 
We  give  it  in  full. 

[l.  S.]  "  By  Virtue  of  Powers  Vested  in  us  by 
our  Office  as  Church  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  duly 
elected,  We  induct  you  into  the  Real  and  Actual 
Possession  of  the  Rectory  of  St.  George's  Church  in 
South  Hempstead,  with  all  its  Profits  and  Appurte- 
nances. 

"  This  is  to  Certify  to  all  whom  it  may  concern 
that  on  Thursday,  the  third  Day  of  March,  in  the 
year  of  Our  Lord  Christ,  One  Thousand  Seven  Hun- 
dred and  eighty-five,  at  South  Hempstead,  in  Queens 
County,  and  State  of  New  York :  We  the  Church 
Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  the  Parish  Church  of  St. 
George,  in  South  Hempstead,  County  and  State  afore- 
7 


146  S^.  Georges  Church. 

said,  did,  as  well  by  Virtue  of  powers  derived  to  us 
from  our  Office,  as  by  authority  conferred  upon  and 
reposed  in  us  by  the  unanimous  voice  and  consent  of 
the  Congregation  in  general.  Induct  the  Rev.  Thos. 
L.  Moore  into  the  Real  and  Actual  Possession  of  the 
said  Parish  Church,  together  with  all  its  Rights, 
Dignities,  Immunities,  and  Appurtenances.  In  Wit- 
ness whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  and 
seals,  and  affixed  the  seal  of  our  Corporation,  the  Day 
and  Year  above  written — 

^,        7  TT7     ^        \  Leffert  Haugewout,       [l.  S.T 
Clmrch  Wardens,  j  j^^^^  ^^^j-  ^j_  g  j 

Cornelius  Van  Nostrandt,  [l.  s." 
Martin  Van  Nostrandt,      [l.  s. 
Vestrymen.  -{  Samuel  Martin,  [l.  S. 

George  Watts,  [l.  s/ 

L  Richard  Hewlet.  [l.  S 

Witnesses. 

A.  Seabury,  Andrew  Onderdonk, 

D.   Brooks,  Benj.   Hewlet, 

Benj.  Tredwell,  Thos.   Clowes, 

Timothy  Smith,  Israel  Smith, 

George  Hewlet,  James  Cornell. 
**  A  true  copy." 

Duly  considering  the  novelty  of  the  position  of  the 
Vestry,  that  they  had  no  ecclesiastical  superior  to 
direct  them.,  for  even  the  nominal  oversight  of  the 
Bishop  of  London  had  terminated;  and  that  the 
present  office  for  the  Institution  of  Ministers  v/as  not 
adopted  until  twenty  years  after  this,  viz.,  in  1804;: 
and  that  the  Vestry  had  no  precedent  to  guide  them 
in  selecting  a  proper  form  for  the  orderly  and  digni- 
fied  introduction  of  their  new  Rector  into  his  charge. 


Rev,  Thos.  Lambert  Moore.  i^y 

it  must  be  conceded  that  they  proceeded  in  a  highly 
becoming  manner. 

We  have  seen  (p.  142,  143)  that  certain  persons 
were  elected  Trustees — "to  take  charge  of  the  Tem- 
poralities of  the  Church."  This  was  to  comply  with 
the  terms  of  an  act  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  passed  April,  1784,  entitled,  ''An  act  to 
enable  all  the  religious  denominations  in  this  State  to 
appoint  Trustees,  who  shall  be  a  body  corporate,  for 
the  purpose  of  taking  care  of  the  temporalities  of 
their  respective  congregations  ;  and  for  other  purposes 
therein  mentioned."  Whether  this  act  rightly  ap- 
plied to  a  parish  already  incorporated,  and  whose 
incorporation  was  recognized  by  the  State, "^  it  is  not 
worth  our  while  now  to  inquire.  In  the  uncertainty 
of  the  times  as  to  what  rights  surviv^ed  the  upheaval 
of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  what  ones  had  been 
dissolved  by  it,  it  was  doubtless  wise  for  the  Vestry 
to  use  **  excess  of  caution."  Their  own  perplexity 
is  disclosed  in  the  following  resolution  passed  by  the 
Vestry,  Jan.  10,  1785  t  in  relation  to  this  act: 

^'Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Vestry,  that 
as  they  cannot  at  present  define  the  precise  signifi- 
cation of  the  term  Temporalities,  the  Trustees  had 
better  take  immediate  possession  of  what  can  strictly 
be  so  called,  viz.:  The  Parsonage  House,  Land  adjoin- 
ing and  Glebe  at  South,  to  v/hich  the  Vestry  are 
willing  to  consent,  till  Whitsun-Tuesday  next,  pro- 
vided They  (the  trustees)  will  leave  in  their  hands 
and  possession  the  Church,  Church-yard  and  whatever 
Revenues  may  arise  from  the  same,  during  that  space 
of  time." 

*  See  p.  50.  f  Records,  p.  no. 


148  S^.  Gecrres  Chiu^ch. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  in  May,  1785,  it  was 
"  Ordered,  That  the  two  Church-Wardens  and  Dr. 
Martin  be  a  committee  to  wait  upon  Mrs.  Cutting  and 
request  to  be  informed  by  her  when  she  imagines 
it  will  be  convenient  to  give  Mr.  Moore  possession  of 
his  house." 

Of  the  response  made  to  this  inquiry  there  is  no 
record. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Lambert  Moore,  whose  election 
and  induction  into  the  Rectorship  of  St.  George's 
parish  we  have  recounted,  was  the  son  of  Thomas  and 
Ehzabeth  Channing  Moore.  He  was  born  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  Feb.  22,  1758.  In  his  youth  he  served 
in  the  counting-house  of  Mr.  Lewis  Pintard,  but  his 
heart  and  mind  were  set  on  the  work  of  the  ministry; 
and  after  acquiring  due  preparation  under  the 
private  tuition  of  an  excellent  classical  teacher,  Mr. 
Alex.  Leslie,  lie  entered  Kings — now  Columbia  Col- 
lege— with  the  class  of  1775, and  was  thus  an  associate 
with  Benjamin  Kissam,  afterwards  Professor  of  the 
Institute  of  Medicine,  and  with  Alexander  Hamilton 
and  other  distinguished  names.  But  on  the  6th  of 
April,  1776,  the  College  buildings  v/ere  taken  for 
military  purposes.  The  exercises  of  the  College  were 
interrupted,  and  were  not  resumed  until  the  close  of 
the  war ;  and  consequently  Mr.  Moore  could  not 
complete  his  course.  He  joined  his  family,  who  had 
removed  to  West  Point.  In  the  autumn  of  1776,  he 
went  to  his  brother,  John  Moore,  Esq.,  then  an  offi- 
cer in  the  Custom  House,  New  York  ;  at  whose  re- 
quest he  was  received  into  the  office  of  Daniel  Car- 
nier,  Esq.,  Commissary  General  of  the  King's  army. 


THE  REV.  THOMAS  LAMBERT  MOORE. 


Rev,  Thos.  Lambert  Moore,  149 

While  diligently  performing  the  duties  devolving 
upon  him  in  that  position,  he  devoted  all  his  evenings 
to  theological  studies.  In  1781,  being  furnished 
with  letters  of  recommendation  from  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Charles  Inglis,  then  rector  of  Trinity  Church,  after- 
wards Bishop  of  Nova  Scotia,  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Tho- 
mas Bradbury  Chandler,  who  was  then  residing  in 
England,  and  was  in  high  esteem  with  the  Bishops 
and  Government  of  England ;  Mr.  Moore  went  to. 
England  for  ordination.  He  remained  in  London 
about  a  year.  He  was  ordained  deacon  by  the 
Bishop  of  London,  the  distinguished  Robert  Lowth, 
Sept.  21,  1 78 1,  and  priest  Feb.  24,  1782,  by  the  Rt. 
Rev.  Beilby  Porteus,  the  Bishop  of  Chester.  After 
his  ordination  he  frequently  preached  to  crowded 
churches  in  London  and  vicinity,  with  high  approba- 
tion. 

In  his  private  diary  he  records  having  officiated 
and  preached  in  the  following  churches,  among  others 
named,  viz.: 

Lord  Chancellor's  Chapel,  Lincoln's  Inn ;  St.  Mar- 
garet, Westminster;  St.  Butolph's,  Aldersgate;  St. 
Lawrence,  Guildhall,  by  order  of  the  Lord  Bishop  of 
London ;  St.  George's,  Hanover  Square ;  All  Hal- 
lows ;  St.  Bartholomew  the  Great;  St.  Mary-Le-Bow; 
St.  Martin's,  Ludgate  Hill  ;  St.  John's,  Westminster. 

The  following  letter  to  his  brother,  John  Moore, 
Esq.,  of  New  York  City,  refers  to  his  ordination  and 
his  efforts  to  secure  a  passage  home. 

"  London,  ^th  March,  1782. 
*'My  dear  Brother— The  mail  for  the  Packet 
having  very  unexpectedly  closed,  I   hav-e  just  time  to 


150  St.  Georges  Church, 

inform  you  that  I  am  well ;  was  ordained  Priest,  on 
the  24th  ultimo,  and  shall  embark  for  New  York  by 
first  good  opportunity.  A  Fleet  it  is  said  will  cer- 
tainly sail  in  the  course  of  Three  Weeks,  and  I  am 
not  without  hopes  of  being  able  either  to  procure  a 
Chaplaincy  on  board  one  of  the  men  of  war,  or  of 
obtaining  a  passage  upon  an  eligible  plan. 

"  Remember  me  affectionately  to  sister  Moore. 
Duty,  love  and  compliments  as  respectively  due. 
Kiss  little  Darling,  and  believe  with  every  sentiment 
of  gratitude  and  love, 

**  Your  truly  affectionate  brother, 

"  Thomas  Lamb't.  Moore. 

*'  N.  B. — Your  letter  by  Packet  arrived  safe ;  ac- 
cept of  best  thanks  for  its  kind  contents ;  and 
depend  upon  my  complying  with  every  practicable 
part  of  your  advice.  The  Lottery  Book  you  request 
has  not  been  sent,  so  that  I  trust  that  I  shall  deliver 
it  myself  I  have  written  to  my  dear  Rib  informing 
her  that  I  hope  to  meet  with  her  by  the  latter  end  of 
June;  don't  suffer  her  to  expect  me  sooner,  and  it 
may  prevent  a  good  deal  of  anxiety." 

On  the  recommendation  of  the  Right  Hon.  Ed- 
mund Burke, "^^  tlien  in  the  British  ministry,  Mr.  Moore 
was  appointed  chaplain  to  the  frigate  Renown,  in 
which  he  sailed  for  New  York  ;  where,  after  stop- 
ping for  a  time  at  Halifax,  the  vessel  arrived,  Oct. 
28,  1782.  Mr.  Moore  proceeded  almost  immediately 
to  perform  clerical  duties  at  Islip,  in  Suffolk  County,, 
to  which  charge  he  had  been  appointed  by  the 
Bishop  of  London,  at  the  instance,  probably,  of  the 
proprietor  of  the   large  estate  known  as  **  the  Nicol 

*  From  the  Family  Record,  by  John  Moore,  Esq. 


Rev,  Thos.  Lambert  Moore,  151 

Patent."     The  following    is  a  copy  of  the  Bishop's 
License,  to  which  the  Episcopal  Seal  is  attached : 

"  Robert,  by  Divine  Permission,  Bishop  of  London 
— To  our  beloved  in  Christ,  Thomas  Lambert  Moore, 
Clerk,  Greeting  :  We  do  by  these  Presents  Give  and 
Grant  to  you,  to  whose  Fidelity,  Morals,  Learning, 
Sound  Doctrine  and  Diligence,  We  do  fully  Confide, 
our  License  and  Authority,  to  continue  only  during 
our  Pleasure,  to  Perform  the  Ministerial  office  at  Islip„ 
in  Suffolk  County,  or  elsewhere  in  the  Province  of  New 
York,  in  North  America — in  reading  the  Common-. 
Prayers  and  Performing  other  Ecclesiastical  Duties  be- 
longing to  said  Office  according  to  the  form  prescribed 
in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  made  and  Published  by 
Authority  of  Parliament,  and  the  Canons  and  Consti- 
tutions in  that  behalf  lawfully  established  and  pro^ 
mulgated,  and  not  otherwise,  or  in  any  other  manner.. 
(You  having  first  before  Us  subscribed  the  Articles;, 
and  taken  the  Oathes  which  in  this  case  are  Required. 
by  Law  to  be  subscribed  and  taken.) 

"  In  witness  whereof  WE  have  caused  our  Seal 
which  WE  use  in  this  Case  to  be  hereto  affixed. 
Dated  the  twenty-first  day  of  September,  in  the  Year 
of  our  Lord,  178 1,  and  in  the  Fifdi  Year  of  cur  trans- 
lation. 

Mark  Holman. 

R.     [l.  S.]     London.  Defy  Regrr 

The  legend  of  the  seal  attached  to  this  License 
reads  :  '*  The  seal  of  Robert  Lowth,  D.D.,  Bishop  of 
London,  1777."  On  the  field  of  the  seal  is  repre- 
sented a  unicorn  rampant, — two  swords  crossed,  and 
these  surmounted  by  a  mitre. 

Mr.  Moore  extended  his  ministrations  to  Setauket, 
where  he  regularly  held  service.  In  this  field  he 
continued  until  called  to  Hempstead,  where  foi»  four- 


152  S^.  Georges  Church. 

teen  years  he  labored  indefatigably,  and  with  most 
encouraging  success. 

Just  before  going  to  England  Mr.  Moore  married 
Miss  Judith  Moore,  sister  to  the  Rt.  Rev.  Benjamin 
Moore,  Bishop  of  New  York,  by  which  two  families 
of  the  same  name  and,  possibly,  originally  of  the 
same  stock,  though  the  kinship  cannot  now  be  traced, 
were  brought  into  union. 

Mr.  Moore  was  of  an  energetic  and  active  nature, 
and  participated  in  those  memorable  measures  which 
saved  the  Church  from  extinction  in  this  country — 
encouraged  the  drooping  spirits  of  her  children,  and 
fitted  her  for  vigorous  action  and  rapid  extension. 
He  was  present — as  we  learn  from  Bishop  White's 
Memiors"^ — at  the  meeting  held  in  New  Brunswick, 
New  Jersey,  in  May,  1784,  and  was  one  of  the  nine 
Clergymen  from  whom  emanated  the  first  effective 
measures  to  have  the  Episcopal  Churches  of  the 
several  States  unite  themselves  in  Conventions,  and 
appoint  deputies  who  should  be  authorized  to  form  a 
confederacy  of  Dioceses,  and  become  the  source  of 
law  and  the  preservers  of  the  unity  of  the  Church  in 
a  compacted  body  in  these  United  States. 

There  was  a  subsequent  meeting  held  in  October, 
1784,  of  the  same  voluntary  character,  to  ''  consult  on 
the  existing  exigency  of  the  Church."  It  is  stated 
that  deputies  appeared  at  this  second  meeting,  pre- 
paratory to  definite  organization,  from  several  States 
not  represented  at  the  previous  one.  As  the  names 
of  those  present  at  the  second  meeting  has  not  been. 

*  P.  78  of  2nd  edition. 


Rev,    Thos.  Lambert  Moore.  153 

preserved,  we  are  unable  to  say  whether  Mr.  Moore 
was  present  likewise  at  this. 

This  last  meeting  formally  recommended  the 
churches  in  the  several  States  to  unite  and  organize 
themselves  into  State  Conventions  and  send  deputies 
±0  a  General  Convention  at  Philadelphia,  in  September, 
1785.  In  compUance  with  this  recommendation, 
•clergymen  and  laymen  of  this  State  met  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  June  22,  1785,  and  organized  the  first 
Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
.State  of  New  York. 

In  this  primary  Convention  of  New  York,  Mr. 
Moore's  name  does  not  appear — possibly  the  cause 
•of  his  absence  may  have  been  that  he  had  but  re- 
■cently  been  settled  in  the  Rectorship  of  St.  George's 
parish.  But  it  is  to  be  noted  that  several  other 
parishes  in  the  State  were  also  without  represent- 
-atives  in  that  Convention. 

But  in  the  Second  Convention  of  the  Diocese  of 
New  York,  held  May  16,  1786,  this  Parish  was  rep- 
resented by  its  Rector,  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  (L.)  Moore, 
and  Hendrick  Onderdonk,  Samuel  Martin  and  David 
J3rooks. 

At  the  Vestry  meeting.  May  6,  1786,  "  Mr.  Moore 
had  leave  to  build  a  Vestry  Room  and  to  have  a  new 
Kneeling  Board  made  round  the  Altar,  and  a  cushion 
to  put  on  it." 

At  a  Vestry  meeting,  May,  1787,  "It  was  agreed 
to  repair  the  east- window  (which  was  over  the  com- 
munion table)  which  could  not  be  opened,  and  the 
resolution  be  carried  into  effect  as  soon  as  possible." 
Jn   June   the   same  year,  the  Vestry  determined  to 


154  ^^'  Georges  Chtirch. 

"  open  for  Mr.  Moore  a  new  subscription,  which  shall 
augment  his  salary  from  One  Hundred  to  One  Hun- 
dred and  twenty  Pounds  per  annum,  and  continue 
yearly  and  every  yea''  during  his  abode  in  this  Town 
as  Rector  of  said  Church." 

In  February,  (the  4th)  1787,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Pro- 
voost  was  consecrated  at  Lambeth  Palace  Chapel, 
England,  the  first  Bishop  of  New  York,  and  on  the 
7th  of  April  following  he  arriv^ed  in  New  York.  St. 
George's  Parish,  through  its  Rector,  presented  to  the 
Bishop  an  address,  to  which  the  Bishop  sent  a  courte- 
ous reply. 

The  Vestry,  at  a  meeting  held  the  year  following 
(1788),  took  action  to  meet  the  requisition  of  the  act 
of  the  Legislature  passed  April  (4)  1788  (already 
noticed,  p.  147)  requiring  an  estimate  to  be  made  and 
sworn  to  before  a  County  Judge  of  "the  Real  and 
Personal  Estate  of  all  and  singular  the  Religious  So- 
cieties in  the  State." 

What  the  object  was  of  this  inquisition  I  have  not 
been  able  to  learn.  But  it  is  interesting  to  know  that 
the  return  made  from  this  parish  in  compliance  with 
the  act  for  1788,  was  as  follows  : 

Revenue  from  Pew  Rents £^^-   '•^• 

Collections .' 12.  o 

Glebe  Lands 40.  O 

Homestead 15-  o 

Total 78.  I 

Real  Estate,    Valued. 

Homestead £^S^ 

Glebe  Lands .600 

Total 750 

May  13,   1788. — The  thanks  of  the  Vestry  were 


Rev,  Thos,  Lambert  Moore,  155 

voted  to  Mr.  Leffert  Haugewout  on  his  retiring  from 
it,  after  a  faithful  service  of  42  years. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  held  May  24th,  1788,. 
the  Rector  stated  that  he  had  received  a  call  from  St. 
John's  Church,  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia,  and  requested 
advice  from  the  Vestry,  whether  they  desired  him  to- 
accept  of  it;  whereupon  it  was  by  them — 

'^Resolved,  That  we  are  satisfied  with  his  (Rev. 
Mr.  M.'s)  services,  and  we  will  faithfully  endeavor  to 
comply  with  our  engagements  and  honorably  fulfil 
our  promises  made  to  him." 

Sundry  necessary  repairs  to  the  church  and  par- 
sonage were  ordered  to  be  made,  "if  sufficient  money 
shall  be  raised  for  this  purpose  by  the  Young  men  of 
the  Parish." 

It  is  pleasant  to  see  this  recognition  of  the  duty  of 
the  rising  generation  of  Churchmen  to  take  an  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  the  Parish  and  assume  a  part  of  its. 
burdens.  The  reliance,  in  this  instance,  was  justified 
by  the  result.  The  repairs  were  made  and  paid  for;, 
and  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  parish,  held  June  2^ 
1789,  it  was — 

"  Ordered,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Corporation 
be  publickly  given  to  the  young  men  of  North 
Hempstead  for  the  Generous  Subscription  raised  by 
them  towards  painting  the  Parish  Church." 

What  was  done  by  the  part  of  the  parish  lying  in 
(South)  Hempstead  is  left  untold. 

At  the  same  meeting,  "  Mr.  Kissam  ofTered  his 
services    as    Parish    Clerk,    provided    Mr.    Silvanus 


156  Sf.  Georges  Church, 

Begel  would  not  officiate  in  full,  and  until  another  caa 
be  provided,  and  was  accepted  with  thanks."* 

This  language  is  somewhat  ambiguous.  We  are 
left  in  doubt  whether  *  Mr.  Silvanus  Begel '  was  un- 
willing or  incompetent  to  discharge  the  duties  o£ 
Clerk.     What  were  those  duties  ? 

PARISH   CLERKS. 

It  may  be  well  to  state  what  the  office  was  and  its 
duties,  especially  because  it  is  now  discontinued,  and 
because  some  may  suppose  he  was  the  secretary  of 
the  Parish  and  Vestry  to  record  its  proceedings. 
Such  was  not  the  position  or  the  principal  duty  of  the 
person  who  in  old  times  was  called  the  parish  Clerk. 
He  was  the  minister's  assistant  in  divine  service. 
A  desk  was  assigned  for  his  use,  which  in  some  par- 
ishes was  placed  in  front  of  the  reading  desk — in 
others  beneath  the  pulpit;  and  to  him  usually  a 
salary  was  given.  In  early  times  clergymen  filled  the 
office.  From  the  Latin  term  for  a  Clergyman  '  Cleri- 
cus,'  the  name  has  been  Anglicised  into  *  Clerks,'  and 
this  formerly  was  commonly  pronounced — 'Clarks.*^ 
After  a  time  laymen  were  appointed  to  perform  the 
duties  of  the  office. 

Clerks  usually  wore  no  distinctive  dress,  but  it  was 
customary  for  them,  until  a  recent  period,  to  wear  a 
wig,  which  was  often  of  formidable  proportions. 

It  pertained  to  the  clerks  to  lead  in  the  responses  in 
the  service.  Where  readers  were  not  common,  this 
was  a  help  to  a  congregation.  And  even  after  educa- 
tion   was    shared    by  the  people  generally,  it  was 

*  Parish  Records,  p.  129. 


Rev.  Thos.  Lambert  Moore.  157 

thought  that  the  prompt  and  prominent  voice  of  the 
clerk  would  serve  to  incite  the  congregation  to  do- 
their  part  with  the  more  heartiness.  But  in  fact,  the 
effect  was  usually  the  other  way.  Even  the  clerk's 
resonant  and  emphatic  *'Amen!"  was  but  too  fre- 
quently left  without  an  echo  from  the  congregation. 

It  pertained  also,  usually,  to  the  clerk,  to  give  out 
notices. 

It  was  his  duty,  too,  to  announce  the  metrical  por- 
tions which  were  to  be  sung,  to  select  the  tune,  and 
to  lead  in  the  singing.  The  music  for  many  years  in 
this  parish  was  wholly  vocal.  Organs  were  not  to  be 
heard  in  the  land  except  in  a  very  few  churches,  even 
down  to  modern  times.  There  is  a  tradition  that  oa 
a  few  extraordinary  occasions  a  bass  viol  and  one  or 
two  other  instruments  were  used  in  St.  George's  in 
early  days.  But  as  there  was  no  choir,  the  singing 
being  truly  congregational,  instruments  could  have 
been  of  litUe  help.  For  the  first  years  of  the  parish 
the  singing  was  confined  to  the  Psalms  in  metre, 
and  the  rugged  version  of  Sternhold  and  Hopkins, 
was  used.  A  specimen  or  two  of  this  version  we 
take  at  random  : — 

Psalm  43. 

Like  as  the  heart  doth  breathe  and  bray 

the  well-springs  to  obtain, 
So  doth  my  soul  desire  alway 

with  the  Lord  to  remain. 

My  soul  doth  thirst  and  would  draw  neare 

the  living  God  of  might, 
Oh  when  shall  I  come  and  appeare 

in  presence  of  his  sight  ? 


158  S^.  Georges  Church. 

Psalm  23. 

My  Shepherd  is  the  living  Lord, 
nothing  therefore  I  need  : 

In  pastures  faire  with  waters  calm 
he  sets  me  for  to  feed. 

He  did  convert  and  glad  my  soule, 
and  brought  my  mind  in  frame 

To  walk  in  paths  of  righteousnesse, 
for  his  most  holy  name. 

Yea,  though  I  walk  in  vale  of  death, 
yet  will  I  feare  none  ill: 

Thy  rod,  thy  staffe  do  comfort  me, 
and  thou  art  with  me  still. 

And  in  the  presence  of  my  foes, 
my  table  thou  shall  spread: 

Thou  shait  (O  Lord)  fill  full  my  cup, 
and  eke  annoint  my  head. 

Through  all  my  life  thy  favour  is 
so  frankly  shew'd  to  me, 

That  in  thy  house  for  evermore 
my  dwelling  place  shall  be. 

Psalm  133. 

O  how  happy  a  thing  it  is, 

and  joyful  for  to  see 
Brethren  together  fast  to  hold 

the  band  of  amitie  ! 

It  calls  to  mind  that  sweet  perfume, 
and  that  costly  oyntment, 

Which  on  the  sacrificer's  head, 
by  God's  precepts  was  spent. 

It  wet  not  Aaron's  head  alone, 
but  drencht  his  beard  throughout: 

And  finally  it  did  run  dwwn 
his  rich  attire  about.    &c. 


Rev,    Thos.  Lambert  Moore.  159 

It  is  a  comfort  to  us  to  know  that  the  spirit  of  de- 
votion is  not  easily  quenched,  and  that  the  souls  of 
our  ancestors  could  be  lifted  heavenward  throueh 
even  such  encumbering  lines. 

In  later  days  the  improved  version  of  Tate  and 
Brady  was  introduced.  There  were  no  Hymns  in 
the  early  years  of  the  parish  history.  Nor  were  there 
any  in  use  in  the  Church  by  recognized  authority 
until  about  1786.  At  that  time,  in  connection  with 
the  revision  of  the  Prayer  Book,  twenty-five  Hymns 
were  introduced — two  for  Christmas,  two  for  Good 
Friday,  two  for  Easter,  three  for  Whitsunday,  three 
for  Holy  Communion,  two  for  New  Year,  and  one 
for  funerals  ;  all  of  which,  with  but  one  exception — 
that  for  Good  Frida}' — "  From  whence  these  direful 
omens  sound,"  &c.,  are  still  in  our  Hymnal.  The 
introduction  of  even  this  small  number  of  Hymns 
gave  much  gratification  to  Churchmen,  an  expression 
of  which  is  thus  given  by  Dr.  Wm.  Smith  of  Chester, 
Penn., — himself  one  of  the  Prayer  Book  Revisers,  to 
the  Rev.  Dr. — afterwards  Bishop  White. 

''Chester,  April  17,  1786. 
**  Dear  Sir — My  congregations  were  exceedingly 
pleased  with  the  two  Good  Friday  Hymns,  which,  as 
they  had  not  books,  were  first  read  and  then  sung, 
and  also  the  two  Easter  Hymns,  No  VII,  and  No. 
VIII ;  but  what  above  all  seemed  to  make  the  greatest 
impression  was  the  Two  Communion  Hymns,  viz.. 
No.  XVII,  beginning,  '*  My  God,  and  is  thy  Table 
spread,"  sung  after  sermon  as  an  vivitation  to  the 
Sacrament,  and  No.  xviii,  beginning,  **  And  are  we 
now  brought  near  to  God,"  &c.,  sung  after  the  Com- 
munion.    It  adds  a  Solemnity   which  they  confess'd 


i6o  S^.  George  s  Chicrch, 

they  had  not  experienced  before.  The  Hymns  are 
indeed  beautiful,  and  every  Line  of  them  appHcable 
to  the  blessed  occasion.  Have  you  yet  introduced 
them  in  this  way  ?  When  you  do,  you  will  find  it  of 
use  to  read  them  for  the  first  Time  yourself,  from  the 
Place  where  you  are,  the  Desk  or  Communion  Table. 
Every  Communicant  will  before  another  Day  have 
them  by  Heart,  as  I  believe  was  the  Case  here, 
between  Good  Friday  and  Easter  Sunday,  as  the 
Book  was  sent  for  and  sundry  Copies  taken  in  writing. 
J  mean  of  Hymns  17  and  iS.""^ 

Respecting  the  musical  portions  of  the  services  in 
learly  days  and  the  changes  which  took  place,  the 
following  statement  by  Bishop  White  is  interesting  if 

**  Within  the  memory  of  the  author  of  this  work  there 
"has  taken  place  a  most  remarkable  change,  in  rcfer- 
■ence  to  the  subject  now  noticed.  When  he  was  a  young 
man,  and  in  England,  and  even  when  he  was  there 
fifteen  years  after,  he  never,  in  any  church,  heard 
•other  metrical  singing  than  what  was  either  from  the 
version  of  Sternhold  and  Hopkins,  or  from  that  of 
Tate  and  Brady.  In  this  country  it  was  the  same ; 
•except  on  Christmas  Day  and  on  Easter  Sunday, 
Avhen  there  were  the  two  Hymns  now  appropriate  to 
those  days,  which  was  stricdy  rubrical ;  they  being 
no  more  than  passages  of  Scripture,  put  into  the 
trammels  of  metre  and  rhyme." 

The  chants,  such  as  the  Venite,  &c.,  were  read  by 
the  Clerk  and  congregation.  Such  a  feat  as  singing 
them  was  not  attempted  here,  and,  in  fact,  in  scarce 
.any  Episcopal  Church  in  the  land  until  within  the 
past  seventy  years.     And   under  the   system  of  the 

*  Jour.  Gen.  Con  ,  Ed.  by  Bp.  Perry,  Vol.  3,  p.  194. 
t  Memoirs  Prot.  Epis.  Church,  2nd  Ed.  p.  256. 


Rev,  Tkos.  Lambert  Moore,  i6i 

Clerk's  leading  in  music  from  his  little  desk* — taking 
the  pitch  usually  from  a  tuning-fork — such  a  thing  as 
an  anthem  could  not  be  attempted. 

But  in  time  more  attention  was  given  to  the  musi- 
cal part  of  the  service.  Choirs  were  introduced.f 
The  Clerk's  duty  was  in  this  direction  abbreviated^ 
and  gradually,  with  other  changes  of  custom,  his  ser- 
vices were  felt  to  be  needless,  and  the  office  itself  fell 
into  disuse. 

The  first  Clerk  mentioned  in  our  Records  was  Tho- 
mas Jecocks,  in  1735,  whose  salary  was  to  be  thirty- 
five  shillings  a  year.  Mr.  James  Gildersleeve  held 
the  position  from  about  1800  until  1824  ;  and  he  was 
the  last  one  who  filled  it. 

May  25,  1790. — It  was  resolved  to  "take  up,"  that 
is,  hire  for  the  use  of  the  church,  ;^ioo  for  needful 
repairs  of  the  churchyard  and  Parsonage ;  and  that 
the  Church  Wardens  give  their  bonds  for  this  sum. 
And,  further,  ''  That  the  Coppers  collected  in  the 
Parish  Church  and  at  Success  be  sold  for  as  much  as 
they  will  fetch." 

"  Ordered,  That  a  new  Register  be  purchased  by 
Mr.  Carman,  for  which  he  shall  be  repaid." 

Mareh  16,  1 791,  the  Vestry,  having  received  a  gift 
towards  the  Communion  Service,  which  is  still  in  use, 
from  Capt.  Samuel  Pintard  : 

*'  Ordered,  That  Captain  Pintard  be  thanked  by  this 
Corporation  for  the  present  made  the  Church  of  an 
Handsome  Silver  Plate,  for  the  use  of  the  Chancel,, 
and  that  the  Rector  be  requested  to  signify  to  him 
the  Same  in  writing." 

*  One  is  still  retained  in  Trinity  Church,  Newport,  R.  I. 
t  In  1803  Mr.  James  Hall  became  chorister,  and,  for   his   services 
received  $10  and  the  thanks  of  the  vestry. 


1 62  S^.  Georges  Church, 

Captain  Pintard,  who  was  a  soldier  at  Oswego,  in 
1755,  and  wounded  at  Minden,  says  Judge  Jones,  re- 
sided in  a  house  immediately  east  of  the  Parsonage, 
and  his  land  adjoined  the  glebe.  He  was  related  to 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Cutting,  who  married  a  Miss  Pintard,  and 
during  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  was  so  much  annoyed 
by  the  British  troops  quartered  here,  that  he  removed 
some  of  his  furniture  to  the  parsonage,  closed  his  house, 
and  went  to  New  York  to  reside.  But  Col.  Birch,  then 
in  command  of  the  troops,  took  possession  of  the 
house  and  obtained,  by  a  not  over  courteous  demand^ 
the  furniture  which  had  been  placed  under  Mr.  Cut- 
ting's care. 

Mr.  Pintard's  land  had  been  the  property  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury,  who  had  purchased  it  from 
Mrs.  Catharine,  wife  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Jenney.  Mr, 
Seabury  sold  it  to  Captain  Pintard,  and  it  afterwards 
passed  into  the  possession  of  Dr.  James  Searing,  and 
since  to  that  of  Thorne  and  Harper.  The  plate  given 
by  Captain  Pintard,  and  which  is  a  perpetual  memo- 
rial of  him,  and  better  than  monumental  brass  or 
stone,  bears  upon  it  in  quaint  lettering,  the  initials, 
A.  B.  F.  It  was  a  most  useful  addition  to  our  com- 
munion service,  which  previously  had  consisted  only 
of  the  silver  chalice  and  paten  given  by  Queen  Ann, 
and  a  silver  alms-basin,  the  gift  of  Mr.  John  March, 
in  1735. 

COMMUNION    PLATE. 

Having  mentioned  our  communion  plate,  it  may  be 
well  to  relate  here  the  several  sources  from  which  we 
have  received  it. 

Respecting    the    two    pieces    already     mentioned. 


CUP   AND    PATEN 

Presented  by 

Queen  Anne  to  St.  Geokge's  Church,  in  1710. 


CORPORATE   SEAL   OF   ST.    GEORGE'S   CHURCH. 


Rev.  Thos.  Lambert  Moore,  163 

which  were  the  gift  of  Queen  Ann,  the  following  ac- 
count is  given  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Society  for 
the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel."^^ 

"  At  a  monthly  meeting  of  the  Society,  in  1706^ 
the  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  reported  that  her  Majesty 
of  her  princely  grace  and  favour,  had  been  pleased 
(through  his  lordship's  hands)  to  allow  five  large 
Bibles,  Common  Prayer  Books,  and  Books  of  Homi- 
lies, as  also  pulpit  cloths.  Communion  table-cloths^ 
silver  chalices  and  patens,  for  each  of  the  five 
Churches  in  the  government  of  New  York,  viz., 
Hempstead  and  Jamaica  in  Long  Island,  West  Ches- 
ter, Rye,.ajjd  Staten  Island." 

These  pieces  of  plate  bear  the  simple  inscription 
"  Annae  Regin^."  The  chalice  is  large,  holding 
about  a  quart ;  the  paten  is  small,  and  so  formed  as  ta 
admit  of  being  used  as  a  cover  to  the  chalice.  The 
alms  basin,  the  gift  of  John  March,  Esq.,  in  1735, 
and  so  inscribed  on  its  rim  ;  and  the  large  silver  plate 
now  used  as  the  principal  paten,  the  gift  of  Captain. 
Samuel  Pintard,  have  been  already  mentioned. 
These  pieces  constituted  the  whole  Communion  set 
down  to  1830,  when  a  silver  gilt  flagon  of  modern 
form  was  added.  In  1851  the  church  was  presented 
with  another  chalice  or  cup,  which  bears  this  inscrip- 
tion :  "  Presented  by  Thos.  Wm.  C.  Moore,  Nephew 
of  the  late  Rector,  Rev.  Thos.  L.  Moore,  to  St. 
George's  Church,  Hempstead,  185  i," 

In  1870  the  service  was  made  complete  by  the  gift 
from  Mr.  Samuel  Wood — descended  from  one  of  the 
oldest  families  of  the  parish,  and  who,  with  his  brother 


*  John  Chamberlayne,  quoted  Bolton  His.  Ch.,  &c.,  p  347. 


1 64  S^.  Georges  Church. 

Abraham,  left  bequests  to  the  church, — of  a  silver 
flagon,  of  large  size  and  proper  ecclesiastical  design* 
which  bears  this  inscription  :  "  To  St.  George's 
Church,  Hempstead,  L.  I.  The  gift  of  Samuel 
Wood.  A  memorial  of  his  beloved  parents,  Epenetus 
and  Catharine  Wood :  of  his  brothers,  Epenetus, 
David,  Abraham  ;  and  of  his  sisters,  Maria  Wood  and 
Mrs.  Nellie  Hewlett.  Easter,  A.  D.  1870 — being 
the  20th  year  of  the  Rectorship  of  the  Rev.  Wm.  H. 
Moore  in  said  parish."  Around  the  flagon  is  en- 
graved in  old  English  letters  the  words — "  The  blood 
of  Jesus  Christ  Cleanseth  us  from  all  s^."  These 
gifts  are  memorials  of  the  givers,  which  are  continu- 
ally before  God.  By  them,  though  dead,  they  still 
speak. 

The  Bible,  which  was  given  St.  George's  Parish  by 
Queen  Ann,  has  not  been  preserved.  But  the  Prayer 
Book  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  parish.  It  is  a 
folio,  and,  with  the  exception  of  the  Morning  and 
Evening  Services,  which  are  much  worn,  is  in  a  good 
state  of  preservation.  The  type  is  large  and  dis- 
tinct, and  the  ink  a  brilliant  black.  The  back  of  the 
book  has  been  mended  with  parchment.  The  volume 
bears  this  imprint: 

"London — Printed  by  the  Assigns  of  Tho.  Newcomb  and  Henry" 
Hills,  deceased,  Printers  to  the  Queen's  Most  Excellent  Maj'ty,  1710." 

The  transition  from  the  Royal  government  to  the 
Repubhc,  required  the  substitution  of  prayers  for  the 
President  and  Congress,  for  those  of  the  Royal  family 
and  Parliament.  These  changes,  with  others  ordained 
by  the  General  Convention  of  the  Church  at  its  early 


MR.    SAMUEL    WOOD. 


Rev.   Thos.  Lambert  Moore.  165 

sessions,  are  exhibited  in  this  Prayer  Book  by  cover- 
ing the  portions  changed  with  paper  containing  the 
forms  substituted.  These  were  written  in  large  print- 
like letters  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Moore. 

In  our  narrative  we  have  overpast  the  reference  to 
an  event  in  this  parish  which  was  of  considerable 
moment,  viz.,  the  first  ordination  in  this  parish,  which 
was  also  the  first  ordination  in  the  Episcopal  Church 
in  the  State  of  New  York — and  only  ten  had  pre- 
ceded this  in  our  Church  in  this  country,  all  of  them 
performed  by  Bishop  Seabury  of  Connecticut.  The 
following  is  the  account  found  in  a  contemporary 
print  of  the  transaction,  and  in  the  private  diary  of  the 
Rev.  Thos.  L.  Moore  : 

**  1785,  Nov'r  2d,  Wednesday. — Read  the  morning 
service  previous  to  Mr.  Jno.  Lowe  of  Virginia  receiv- 
ing Confirmation   and  Deacon's  orders. 

''  Nov'r  3d,  Thursday. — After  morning  service  Read 
by  the  Rev'd  Mr.  Bloomer  and  a  Sermon  by  the 
Bishop,  the  same  gentleman  was  solemnly  ORDAINED 
Priest." 

*'  On  Thursday  last,  3d  inst.,  Mr.  John  Lowe,  a 
gentleman  from  Virginia,  received  holy  orders  from 
the  hands  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  Samuel  Seabury,  Bishop  of 
the  Episcopal  Protestant  Church  in  Connecticut,  in  St. 
George's  Church  at  Hempstead,  on  Long  Island.  As 
this  was  the  first  instance  of  an  ordinance  of  the 
Church  which  has  ever  taken  place  in  this  State,  the 
solemnity  of  the  occasion  was  almost  beyond  descrip- 
tion— the  excellent  sermon  delivered  hj  the  Bishop, 
the  prayers  and  tears  of  himself,  his  presbyters,  and 
the  numerous  assembly,  for  the  success  of  this  gentle- 
man in  his  ministry,  will  be  long  had  in  remembrance 
by  every  spectator." — The  Nezu   York  Packet,  Nov. 


1 66  S^.  Georges  Church, 

21,   1785. — A^.    K   Historical   Society    Calendar  for 
year  i^yo, page  374. 

The  subsequent  career  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lowe  I  have 
not  been  able  to  trace.  But  the  ordination  was  re- 
garded as  being  important  and  significant,  because  of 
the  circumstances  under  which  it  took  place,  and 
which  are  thus  referred  to  in  a  letter  from  the  Rev. 
Mr.,  afterwards  Bishop  Provoost  of  New  York  to  the 
Rev.  Dr.  WiUiam  White  of  Philadelphia,  in  which  Mr. 
Provoost,  referring  to  the  application  which  had  been 
forwarded  to  England,  to  have  himself  and  Dr.  White 
<:onsecrated  Bishops — says  : 

"  I  expect  no  obstruction  to  our  application 
but  what  may  arise  from  the  intrigues  of  the  non- 
juring  Bishop  of  Connecticut,  who  a  few  days  since 
paid  a  visit  to  this  State  (notwithstanding  he  incurred 
the  guilt  of  misprision  of  Treason,  and  was  liable  to 
confinement  for  life  for  doing  so)  and  took  shelter 
at  Mr.  James  Rivington's,  where  he  was  seen 
only  by  a  few  of  his  most  intimate  friends ;  whilst  he 
was  there,  a  piece  appeared  in  a  newspaper  under 
Rivington's  direction,  pretending  to  give  an  account 
of  the  late  Convention,  (the  General  Convention, 
1785,)  but  replete  with  falsehood  and  prevarication, 
and  evidently  intended  to  excite  a  prejudice  against 
our  transactions,  both  in  England  and  in  America. 

*'  On  Long  Island  Dr.  Cebra  appeared  more  openly 
— preached  at  Hempstead  church,  and  ordained  the 
person  from  Virginia  I  formerly  mentioned,  being  as- 
f^isted  by  the  Rev.  I\Ir.  Moore,  of  Hempstead,  and  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Bloomer,  of  New  Town,  Long  Island. 

"  I  relate  these  occurrences,  that  when  you  write 
next  to  England,  our  Friends  there  may  be  guarded 


Rev.  Thos.  Lambert  Moore.  167 

against  any  misrepresentations  that  may  come  from 
that  Quarter. 

"  I  am,  with  respects  to  Dr.  Magaw  and  Mr. 

Bhickwell,  Dr  Sir, 
"  Your  most  sincere  Friend  and  Humble  Servant, 
"  Samuel  Provoost.''^ 
''New  York,  Nov.  7,  1785." 

The  strong  prejudice  which  influenced  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Provoost  against  Bishop  Seabury  is  exhibited  here  in 
his  persistent  misspelHng  the  Bishop's  name,  writing 
it  always  **  Cebra,"  in  the  withholding  the  title  *' Bish- 
op," and  in  his  misconstruction  of  the  newspaper 
article  to  which  he  alludes,  which  is  given  in  full  in 
"  Perry's  Historical  Notes  and  Documents, "f  together 
with  some  further  communications  from  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Provoost,  and  is  free  from  the  artfulness  he  attributes 
to  it. 

The  exhibition  of  such  an  unamiable  spirit  towards 
Bishop  Seabury  was,  unfortunately,  not  an  isolated 
instance.  In  the  New  York  Convention,  June  14th, 
1786,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

"  Resolved,  That  the  persons  appointed  to  represent 
this  Church  [in  General  Convention]  be  instructed 
not  to  consent  to  any  act  that  may  imply  the  validity 
of  Dr.  Seabury 's  ordination." 

But  it  is  a  matter  of  pleasant  reflection  that  the 
members  of  St.  George's  parish,  so  far  from  adding 
to  the  good  bishop's  burdens,  did  what  they  could  to 
encourage  and  sustain  him. 

*  Perry's  Early  Conventions — Hist.  Notes  vol.  3,  p.  2S3. 
f  A  Half  Century  of  Legislation  of  the  American  Church,  vol.  3, 
p.  283. 


1 68  SL  Georges  Church. 

In  those  critical  months  to  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church  in  America,  when,  partly  from  opposition 
to  the  Bishop's  consecration  by  the  Scotch  Bishops  ; 
partly  from  sectional  jealousies  ;'^  partly  from  such 
ecclesiastical  idiosyncrasies  as  moved  Virginia  to 
forbid  her  delegate — Dr.  Griffith — to  a  general  Con- 
ference, to  take  a  seat  as  a  member ;  and  South  Caro- 
lina to  stipulate  that  she  would  participate  in  the 
conference  only  on  the  condition  that  ''  No  Bishop 
sIloilM  be  settled  in  that  State,''  there  appeared  little 
prospect  of  bringing  such  divergent  elements  to  coa- 
lesce harmoniously  in  the  union  of  one  body,  and  a 
permanent  disassociation  of  the  churches  in  the 
several  States  seemed  inevitable — at  that  critical 
period  this  parish  manifested  its  undiminished 
affection  and  respect  for  Bishop  Seabury,  and  con- 
tributed its  influence  to  promote  that  amiable  inter- 
change of  sentiment  between  him  and  Bishop  White, 
the  embodiments  of  gentleness  and  kindliness  ;  which, 
under  God,  averted  the  impending  dissension  of 
Churchmen,  and  X^a  to  that  firm  compact  which  has 
made  the  Church  vigorous  and  victorious. 

Bishop  Seabury  was  regarded  by  the  Churchmen 
of  Hempstead  with  pride  and  affection,  as  the  child  of 
the  parish  ;  and  he  reciprocated  the  feeling.    Through 


*  An  example  of  which  is  given  in  the  following  extract  of  a  letter 
from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Parker  of  Boston,  to  Bishop  White:  "In  these 
Northern  States  I  much  doubt  whether  a  Bishop  from  England  would 
be  received,  so  great  is  the  jealousy  still  remaining  of  the  English 
nation.  Of  a  Scotch  Bishop  there  can  be  no  suspicions,  because 
wholly  unconnected  with  the  civil  power  themselves,  they  could  in- 
troduce none  into  these  States." — Church  Documents,  Connecticut,. 
Vol.  ii.  p.  290. 


Rev.  Thos,  Lambert  Moore,  169 

all  his  after  years  he  frequently  revisited  the  scenes 
of  his  youth  and  the  home  of  his  numerous  relatives. 

The  private  diary  of  the  Rev.  Thos.  Lambert 
Moore  contains  frequent  records  of  his  officiating 
here. 

In  1 79 1,  the  Vestry  of  St.  George's  adopted  a 
measure  for  which,  probably,  they  had  some  reason 
not  now  to  be  discerned.  It  was  by  them  '*  Ordered, 
that  every  person  acting  in  any  public  office  of  the 
Church  should  declare  his  consent  and  assent  to  the 
doctrines  and  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  ;"  and  the  following  certificate  of  the  compli- 
ance with  this  ordinance  of  those  who  made  it,  was; 
drawn  up  and  signed.  ] 

"South  Hempstead,  21  July,  1791. 

"The  Vestry  of  St.  George's  Church  in  this  Town 
having  taken  into  consideration  the  necessity  of 
Uniformity  as  well  in  Doctrine  as  in  Discipline,  have, 
unanimously  agreed  to  the  following  Resolutions,, 
which  Resolutions  they  sincerely  subscribe  for  them- 
selves, and  which  they  seriously  recommend  to  alL 
their  successors  in  office,  viz.  : 

''  That  every  person  acting  in  any  Public  office  in 
this  Church,  shall,  as  soon  as  elected,  declare  his  con- 
sent and  assent  to  the  Doctrines  and  Discipline  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  his  conformity  to 
the  Canons  made  for  the  Government  of  the  same. 
"Thos.  Lambt.  Moore,  Rector. 


Thos.  Clowes,       )  ^r        .   j^r    j 
George  Hewkt,    \  ^'""''^'  ^^'^"''- 

Vestrymen.** 


George  Weeks, 
Benj.  Hewlet, 
Saml.  Carman, 
Danl.  Kissam, 


170  S^.  George's  Chtirch, 

Having  referred  to  the  Diary  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Moore,  we  make  from  it  one  or  two  extracts.  Un~ 
der  date  of  November  12,  1786,  he  notes  that  the 
number  who  partook  of  the  sacrament  that  day  was 
forty- one. 

"  17B3,  Nov.  23. — Read  and  Preached  at  St.  Paul's 
Chapel  (New  York),  morning:  do  St.  George's,  after- 
noon.— N.  B.  This  was  the  last  time  that  His 
M(ajesty)  G(eorge)  HI.  was  prayed  for  in  this  State."' 

Up  to  1787  all  evening  services  were  held  in  pri- 
vate houses,  there  being  no  provision  for  lighting  the 
church  ;  evening  services  in  Episcopal  churches  not 
being  customary  nor  regarded  favorably  by  Church- 
men generally.  But  the  necessary  arrangements 
having  been  made,  the  church  was  henceforth  used 
for  evening  services,  as  tlius  noted  in  Mr.  Moore's 
diary: 

"  1787,  Nov.  25. — Read  and  preached,  morning. 
South  Hempstead.  Lectured  in  church,  evening, 
first  time  of  thus  assembling." 

We  learn  from  this  diary  that  from  the  middle  of 
October  until  the  following  spring,  it  was  Mr.  Moore's 
custom  to  have  but  one  service,  eithei  at  Hempstead 
or  at  Success,  where  he  officiated  every  third  Sunday. 

A  continuance  of  some  of  the  obtrusive  peculiari- 
ties of  the  Quakers  is  probably  aimed  at  in  a 
resolution  passed  by  the  Vestry,  May  39,  1792  : 

''  Resolved,  That  the  Church  Wardens  and  Vestry- 
men shall  see  due  order  observed  in  Church — and 
that  no  person  be  hereafter  permitted  to  come  within 
the  walls  of  the  same,  whether  Service  or  not 
— covered.'' 


Rev.  Thos,  Lambert  Moore,  171 

At  this  meeting  there  was  passed  the  following 
resolution — "  That  a  new  Parsonage  House  be  erected 
next  Spring,  and  that  materials  be  purchased  this 
season." 

NEW     PARSONAGE. 

The  above  resolution  was  promptly  carried  into 
effect.  The  parsonage  which  was  now  to  be  displaced 
by  the  new  one  was  built,  as  we  have  seen,  in  1682. 

And  when  the  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury  came  here  in 
1744,  it  was  in  so  ruinous  a  condition  as  to  require 
such  extensive  repairs  that  it  might  be  said  to  have 
been  almost  rebuilt.  It  had  never  been  a  com- 
modious dwelling.  Its  style  was  one  that  prevailed 
on  Long  Island  at  the  period  of  its  erection,  and  of 
which  a  few  specimens  still  survive.  It  was  a  story 
and  a  half  high  in  front,  with  a  roof  of  a  single  pitch 
sloping  down  to  one  story  in  the  rear.  A  front  door 
in  the  middle  of  the  house  opened  into  a  narrow  hall 
running  through  the  house,  with  two  rooms  on  either 
side.  At  the  rear  end  of  the  hall  was  a  passage  way 
into  a  small  building  in  which  was  the  kitchen.  The 
ceilings  were  low,  even  on  the  ground  floor,  and 
lower  still  in  the  two  or  three  rooms  above. 

The  stipulations  for  the  new  parsonage  directed  it 
should  be  44  feet  front  by  34  feet  deep,  with  a  build- 
ing at  the  east  end,  for  a  kitchen.  Mr.  Mackrel,  of 
Jamaica,  was  the  builder,  and  the  cost  was  to  be 
^500  ;  the  Vestry  stipulating  to  be  at  the  expense  of 
carting  the  lumber,  finding  the  stone  and  digging  the 
•cellar.  The  lack  of  height  in  the  old  building  was 
avoided  in  the  new  one,  but  unfortunately,  the 
designer  of  the  plan,  if  there  was  such  a  person,  gave 


172  S^.  Georges  Chtirch, 

the  greatest  height  to  the  part  of  the  building  of 
the  least  use — the  attic.  The  ceilings  were  but  a 
little  higher  than  those  of  the  old  building.  And 
with  a  singular  lack  of  foresight,  the  house  was 
constructed  without  having  in  it  a  single  closet ;  a 
defect  which  has  since  been  but  very  imperfectly 
remedied. 

The  building  was  regarded,  at  the  time,  as  a  rather 
imposing  one.  It  was  constructec  largely  of  hewn 
oak  timber,  contributed  principally  by  the  parish- 
ioners on  the  north  side  of  the  island.  This  timber, 
not  having  been  seasoned,  by  its  warping  and  twisting 
has  affected  the  regularity  of  the  bevel  and  angles. 
Being  covered  only  with  shingles  nailed  to  laths, 
renders  it  but  too  accessible  to  cold  ^rnd  wind. 

All  parts  of  the  parish,  which  then  included  a 
large  portion  of  the  county  and  extended  across  the 
Island  from  the  ocean  to  Sands  Point  on  the  Sound, 
actively  participated  in  providing  the  new  residence 
for  their  Rector,  as  the  following  inscription  on  its 
corner  stone  declares  : 

*•'  This  Parsonage  was  erected  by  the  voluntary 
Donations  of  the  Episcopal  Congregation  of  North 
and  South  Hempstead,  Anno  Domini,  1793.  Unity, 
Perseverance,  and  Public  Spirit.     Laus  Deo." 

The  old  parsonage  building  was  sold  for  £/\o — the 
piazza  to  Mr.  George  Weeks  for  ^5 — and  a  part  of 
it  was  removed  to  a  lot  on  Greenwich  Street,  which 
afterwards  came  into  the  possession  of  Mr.  Henry 
Eckford,  when  it  was  taken  down.  Another  part 
was  taken  to  the  land  now  owned  by  Mr.  Stewart 
Haff. 


Rev,  Thos.  Lambert  Moore.  173 

**  Nov.  28,  1793. — The  Trustees  chosen  to  sell  the 
old  parsonage,  reported  they  had  sold  the  west  part 
to  Mr.  George  Weeks,  Jr.,  for  £16.'' 

In  the  new  parsonage  Mr.  Moore  dwelt  during  the 
last  six  years  of  his  Rectorship.  In  March,  1794,  the 
Vestry  directed  the  sale  of  that  portion  of  the  glebe 
lands  at  the  south — near  the  bay — designated  as  the 
Middle  and  Little  Neck/^  How  many  acres  were 
comprised  in  the  sale  is  not  stated.  The  lands 
brought  ;£"350.  With  this  sum  and  an  addition  of 
£SO  more,  on  which  the  Rector  agreed  to  pay  in- 
terest, the  Vestry  bought  for  a  glebe  from  Mr. 
Thos.  Clowes,  a  piece  of  land  of  twenty-three  acres, 
now  lying  in  the  eastern  edge  of  the  village  of 
Hempstead,  and  whose  northern  boundary  is  the 
Farmingdale  Road,  and  which  was  afterwards  desig- 
nated as  the  Greenfield  property,  and  '*  Green  Farm." 

By  resolution  of  the  Vestry  a  letter  of  thanks  was 
sent,  about  this  time,  to  ''the  Minister,  Elders  and 
Deacons  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  for  the  use: 
of  the  Church  at  Success."  It  is  surmised  that  the 
services  of  the  church  had  been  conducted  at  Success, 
only  since  Mr.  Moore  was  Rector,  ai\d  were  for  the 
especial  accommodation  of  the  members  of  the  parish 
residing  in  that  neighborhood. f 

At  the  Vestry-meeting  in  May,  1795,  one  of  the 
Wardens,  Mr.  Thos.  Clowes,  was  appointed  Treas-^ 
urer  of  the  **  Sacramental  Fund,"  and  Col.  Carman, 
"Treasurer  of  all  Contingent  Moneys."  And  it  was 
ordered  that  ^3  be  allowed  this  year  from  the  Sacra- 
mental Fund,  for  support  of  '*  Travelling  Missionaries 

*  Parish  Records,  p.  14;.  \  Parish  Records,  p.  145  and  148. 

8* 


174  '^^'  Georges  Church, 

of  this  Church  upon  the  frontiers  of  this  and  the 
neighbouring  States."  The  purpose  was  excellent^ 
but  the  proceeding  was  not  in  accord  with  the  rubric 
in  the  Communion  office,  which  designates  the  Rector 
as  the  dispenser  of  the  fund,  and  prescribes  the 
objects. 

In  October,  1795,  a  meeting  of  the  corporation 
was  held,  and  by  its  order,*  the  salary  of  the  Rector 
was  advanced  to  ;^2oo. 

In  April  of  this  year — 1795 — at  a  town  meetings 
there  was  a  resolution  adopted  respecting  the 

PUBLIC   LANDS   IN   FRONT   OF    THE   PARSONAGE, 

of  which  the  following  is  a  copy  from  the  Towm 
Records,  p.  390  : 

'*  This  is  to  certify  that  the  inhabitants  of  South. 
Hem.pstead,  in  Town  Meeting  assembled,  the  7th  day- 
of  April,  A.  D.  1795,  did  voluntarily  and  in  a  legal 
manner,  as  they  were  by  law  authorized  to  do,  grant 
unto  the  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Moore  and  his  successors 
in  office,  all  the  land  in  front  of  the  Episcopal  Parson- 
age down  to  the  brook,  reserving  the  public  roads 
above  and  below  the  hill  for  the  use  of  the  public, 
and  prohibiting  the  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Moore  or  his. 
successors  in  office,  from  fencing  said  land  or  other- 
wise enclosing,  under  penalty  of  forfeiting  this  grant. 

*'  Entered  and  compared  with  the  original  the 
fifth  day  of  April,  1796.  By  Mr.  Richd.  Beadle,. 
Town  Clerk." 

The  following  letter,  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Jack- 
son J.  Jones,  of  Seaford,  found  among  the  papers  of 

*  Farish  Records,  p.  153. 


Rev,  Thos.  Lambert  Moore.  175 

his    grandfather,  explains  the   source  of  the    above 
quoted  resolution  : 

"  Sir — I  have  again  made  application  to  this  Town 
Meeting  for  a  grant  of  the  Land  opposite  the  Parson- 
age. Deeming  you  to  be  a  man  of  an  independent 
mind,  I  hope  you  will  give  my  memorial  your  ap- 
probation and  support. 

"  As  opposition  to  this    Grant  can    only    proceed 
from  party  motives,  I  rely  upon  your  understanding 
and  honour  to  frustrate  the  views  of  such  characters., 
"  I  am,  with  best  wishes, 

"  Your  Friend  and  Servant, 

''Thos.  Lamb't.  Moore;. 
"5.  Henipd.  7  April,  179$. 
*'  Major  Jackson." 

In  May,  1796,  the  Vestry 

''  Ordered— That  a  letter  be  written  to  the  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  Provoost,  laying  before  Him  the  situa- 
tion of  this  Corporation  ;  viz.,  That  they  are  burdened 
with  a  debt  of  ;^200  and  praying  assistance  from  the 
Corporation  of  Trinity  Church  to  relieve  them,  if  it 
can  be  done." 

This  petition  was  not  fruitless.  Trinity  Church,  as 
in  almost  innumerable  other  instances,  kindly  gave 
the  relief  asked,  and  the  Rector  of  St.  George's  was. 
ordered  to  send  a  "  Letter  of  sincere  thanks  to  the 
Corporation  of  Trinity  Church  for  their  recent 
generous  respectable  donation."  The  donation  was 
;^500,  more  than  double  the  amount  asked.  John 
Moore,  Esq.  was  authorized  and  empowered  by  the 
Vestry  to  receive  the  donation,  and  deposit  one-half 
in  the  Bank  of  New  York,  the  remainder  to  be  used 
for  the  present  exigencies  of  the  church. 


176  6'/.  Georges  Church, 

These  appear  to  have  been,  to  pay  an  amount  still 
due  Mr.  Mackrel,  the  builder  of  the  Parsonage, 
repay  the  Rector  the  sum  he  had  advanced  for  the 
parsonage  house,  and  pay  a  long  standing  note  due 
the  estate  of  a  former  Senior  Warden,  Leffert  Hauge- 
wout. 

The  south  Parsonage  was  ordered  to  be  rented,  as 
heretofore,  to  Col.  Carman,  for  forty  pounds  per 
annum. ^ 

Mr.  Moore,  on  becoming  rector  of  St.  George's,, 
did  not  resume  the  services  which  his  predecessors 
had  been  accustomed  to  hold  at  Oyster  Bay,  and 
which  Mr.  Cutting  had  been  obliged  to  discontinue 
because  of  the  perils  attendent  upon  travelling  there 
during  the  turbulence  of  the  Revolutionary  War. 

As  from  this  period  an  informal  but  practical  dis- 
solution took  place  of  the  connection  which  by  the 
enactment  of  the  Assembly,  in  1693,  ordained  that 
"  Hempstead  and  Oyster  Bay  should  be  one  par- 
ish," it  will  be  proper  to  introduce  here  a  sketch  of 
the   subsequent  condition  of 

CHRIST   CHURCH,    OYSTER   BAY. 

As  prefatory  to  that  sketch,  we  first  state  certain 
proceedings  in  that  town  of  a  very  early  date,  which 
will  throw  light  upon  remarks  made  by  the  mission- 
aries, Jenney,  Seabury  and  Cutting,  in  their  corres- 
pondence with  the  Venerable  Society.  One  of  the 
Duke  of  York's  laws  (1665)  for  the  government  of 
the  Province  of  New  York,  says  : 


Parish  Records,  p.  164. 


Christ  Chtirch,  Oyster  Bay,  177 

"  Whereas  the  pubhc  worship  of  God  is  much  dis- 
credited for  want  of  painful  and  able  ministers  to 
instruct  the  people  in  the  true  religion,  it  is — Ordered, 
that  a  church  shall  be  built  in  each  parish  capable  of 
holding  two  hundred  persons  ;  that  ministers  of 
•every  church  shall  preach  every  Sunday,  and  pray 
for  the  King,  Queen,  Duke  of  York,  and  the  Royal 
Family  ;  and  to  marry  persons,  after  legal  publication 
>or  license."* 

But  while  houses  of  worship  were  thus  ordered  to 
Tdc  built,  and  ministers  were  expected,  the  law  was  of 
httle  effect  until  the  Act  of  the  Assembly  of  the  Pro- 
vince, in  1693,  for  raising  by  tax  a  maintainance  for 
ministers  gave  it  practical  efficiency.  But  Oyster  Bay 
did  not  regard  this  provision  favorably,  as  the  follow- 
ing extract  from  the  town  record  shows  : 

"  1693,  Feb.  19. — The  town  met  together  in  order 
to  a  late  Act  of  the  Assembly  for  settling  two  minis- 
ters in  the  county,  but  nothing  was  done  about  it;  but 
made  return  that  it  was  a  thing  against  their  judgment 
— therefore  could  do  nothing  about  it." 

But  the  people  of  the  town  afterwards  receded  from 
this  indefensible  position,  and,  like  good  citizens,  con- 
formed to  the  law. 

*'  1706,  Sept.  14. — Capt.  John  Dickenson  and  Wm. 
Frost,  Sr.,  are  chosen  Trustees  for  the  town,  to  act  as 
provided  by  Act  of  Assembly,  to  build  and  repair 
their  Meeting- Houses  and  other  public  buildings." 

**  1707,  Mar.  3. — Justice  John  Townsend  is  chosen 
Treasurer  of  the  town,  to  receive  the  ^50  raised  for 
the  furnishing  the  church,  &c." 


See  Thompson,  ist  ed.  p.  103 


178  Christ  Ckiurk,    Oyster  Bay, 

''1710,  jfiuie  27. — At  a  town  meeting  it  was  or- 
dered that  I  yi  acre  of  land  joining  to  the  church  be 
laid  out  for  a  church-yard."* 

The  place  for  worship  had  now  been  built  (al- 
though not  completed,  as  the  missionaries  long  after 
this  state),  and, — 

"  171 1,  Feb.  16. — Ordered,  that  the  Trustees  and 
Church  Wardens  [of  the  civil  Vestry,  Ed.'\ — should 
receive  and  lay  out  the  money  to  be  raised  for  that 
purpose  to  the  best  advantage  for  seating  the  church." 

This  building,  after  the  custom  elsewhere,  was  used 
for  town  meetings. 

In  1768,  Oyster- Bay  petitioned  the  Assembly  [for 
authority]  to  raise  the  ministers'  and  poor  tax  separ- 
ate from  Hempstead. 

The  cessation  of  the  Church  services  by  Mr.  Cut- 
ting was  followed  by  a  scattering  of  the  congregation. 
The  church  building  fell  into  decay,  and  in  1801 
what  remained  of  it  was  sold  for  the  sum  of  %6'j, 
which  was  delivered  to  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor 
"  until  the  same  shall  be  called  for  by  the  religious 
Society,  if  any  may  demand  it." 

Meanwhile  certain  of  the  citizens  of  Oyster  Bay  had 
resolved  to  establish  a  Seminary  or  Academy— and 
they  petitioned  the  town  to  grant  to  them  the  plot  of 
land  on  Church  Hill,  then  lying  unoccupied,  on  which 
to  erect  said  seminary.  To  give  weight  to  their  appli- 
cation, the  proprietors  of  the  Academy  obtained  the 
following  expression  of  the  consent  of  members  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  that  the  land  might  be  loaned  for 
the  purpose  prayed  for  : 

*  Book  D,  Town  Records,  Folio  9. 


Christ  Church,  Oyster  Bay.  179 

*'  Be  it  known  to  whom  it  may  concern,  that 
we  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  being 
the  lawful  Heirs  and  Descendants  of  the  Pro- 
prietors of  the  Episcopal  Church  situate  in  the 
Town  spot  of  Oyster-Bay,  do  freely  and  voluntarily 
agree  to  put  die  said  church  in  its  present  situation 
(with  the  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging)  into  the 
charge  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Academy  building  in 
the  said  Town,  and  by  them  kept  in  trust  until  at 
some  future  day  it  may  be  found  necessary  to  apply 
the  said  Church  with  its  appurtenances  for  the  use  of 
said  Episcopal  Society. 

"  Robert  Townsend, 

Administrator  of  the  Estate  of  Samuel  Townsend,  dec'd» 

Samuel  Haviland, 
John  Jones, 
David  Jones," 
**  Oyster- Bay,  1801. 

At  the  time  of  this  agreement  the  probability  that 
the  Episcopal  Church  would  be  revived  in  Oyster 
Bay,  must  have  appeared  very  small.  But  these 
Churchmen  very  wisely  stipulated,  in  view  of  the 
possibility  of  it.  They  evidently  had  an  abiding 
trust  in  the  indefectibility  of  the  Church.  The 
Academy,  which  was  opened  in  1805,  proved  less 
enduring  than  its  friends  expected,  being  superseded 
by  the  public  school ;  while  the  Church,  on  the  other 
hand,  exhibited  renewed  energy  when  its  vitality  was 
supposed  to  be  extinct. 

The  first  intimation  we  have  been  able  to  find — 
after  this  time — that  the  Episcopalians  of  Oyster  Bay 
still  cherished  a  love  for  the  Church  and  a  purpose  to 
have  her  services,  is  in  an  advertisement  in  the  Long 
Island   Star,  April    17,    1821,  that — "the    Rev.   Dr. 


i8o  Christ  Church,  Oyster  Bay. 

Bletsoe,  has  been  appointed  Principal  of  the  Acade- 
my at  Oyster  Bay,  and  it  is  intended  by  the  Trustees 
to  appropriate  a  part  of  Edmund  Hall  to  the  purposes, 
of  an  Episcopal  Church,  in  which  Divine  Service  will 
be  performed  regularly  by  Dr.  Bletsoe." 

Of  this  person  little  is  now  known  further  than  that 
he  claimed  to  be  an  English  clergyman,  and  that  be- 
cause of  some  defect  in  his  credentials,  he  failed  of 
being  recognized  by  the  ecclesiastical  authorities  of 
the  diocese.  Whether  he  carried  out  his  purpose  to 
hold  Church  services  we  cannot  learn. 

Shortly  after  this  time  the  Academy  project  failed,, 
and  the  building  was  closed.  The  purpose  of  rees- 
tablishing the  services  of  the  Church  was  still  enter- 
tained by  the  old  members  of  the  parish,  and  as  a 
preparatory  step,  they  bought  up  the  now  almost 
vakieless  stock  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Academy,, 
and  voted — the  Academy  had  never  been  incorpo- 
rated —  to  give  the  building  to  the  Church  for  a 
parsonage  ;  and  such  it  is  to-day. 

In  1822,  Mr.  Edward  K.  Fowler,  a  resident  in  the 
neighborhood  and  a  candidate  for  orders,  began  to  hold 
services  as  a  lay  reader  in  the  Academy,  with  en- 
couraging results.  In  a  letter  to  Dr.  James  De  Kay,  in 
1850,  from  Monticello,  N.  Y.,  he  says:  "On  every 
occasion  of  public  worship  in  which  I  was  engaged 
in  the  Academy  at  Oyster  Bay,  the  congregation  was 
respectable,  and  oftentimes  as  large  as  the  building 
would  comfortably  contain." 

Upon  his  ordination,  in  1823,  by  Bishop  Hobart^ 
he  continued  to  officiate  at  Oyster  Bay  and  at  Hunt- 
ington on  alternate  Sundays,   until   1826,  when    an 


Christ  Chicrch,    Oyster  Bay.  i8i 

affection  of  the  throat  compelled  him  to  remove  to 
another  part  of  the  State.  But  his  services  resulted 
in  gathering' the  scattered  members  of  the  old  con- 
gregation and  in  bringing  in  new  ones,  and  in 
confirming  in  all  the  purpose  to  have  the  parish  re- 
sume effective  life. 

After  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fowler  removed,  service  was 
held  occasionally  in  Oyster  Bay  by  the  Rev.  Joseph 
I^  Phillips,  Rector  of  Christ  Church,  Manhasset^ 
from  1833  to  1835. 

In  1835  Christ  Church,  Oyster  Bay,  was  made,  a 
missionary  station  of  the  diocese,  and  the  Rev.  Isaac 
Sherwood  was  appointed  the  missionary.  From 
that  date  no  marked  progress  was  made  for  several 
years  in  reviving  the  parish.  But  in  1844  the  question 
of  a  location  for  a  church-building,  which  had  caused 
some  difference  of  opinion,  was  settled.  It  was  ac- 
cordingly built,  at  a  cost  of  $2800,  upon  the  site  and 
amidst  the  venerable  graves  of  the  former  one,  which  is 
so  frequently  referred  to  in  the  correspondence  of  the 
missionaries  with  the  Venerable  Society.  And  in 
September,  1844,  the  Rev.  Edwin  Harwood  became 
the  minister  of  the  parish. 

Thus  was  the  continuity  of  the  parish  life  maintain- 
ed— the  interrupted  current  flowed  on  again  in  the 
ancient  channels. 

The  church  building  erected  in  1844  soon  showed 
serious  defects  in  its  construction,  and  in  1877  the 
Vestry  decided  to  take  it  down .  and  erect  another,  at 
a  cost  of  $12,000.  David  J.  Youngs,  Edward  M. 
Townsend  and  William  Trotter,  Jr.,  were  appointed 
the  building  committee.     Messrs.  Potter  and  Robert- 


1 82  Christ  Church,  Oyster  Bay, 

son  of  New  York  were  selected  as  the  architects.  The 
corner  stone  was  laid  May  i,  1878,  by  the  Rector,  the 
Rev.  George  R.Vandewater,  and  the  completed  build- 
ing was  consecrated  on  St.  Barnabas'  day,  June  11^ 
1879,  by  the  Rt  Rev.  A.  N.  Littlejohn,  LL.D.,  the 
Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  Long  Island. 

The  new  church,  as  contrasted  with  the  one  it  dis- 
placed, shows  not  only  the  increased  strength  of  the 
parish,  but  also  the  great  advancement  which  has 
recently  been  made  in  architectural  taste. 

List  of  Rectors   and  Ministers    of  Christ    Churchy 
Oyster  Bay,  since  its  Re-establishment. 

Rev.  Edwin  Harwood,  D.D.,  Sep.  1844  to  May,  1846. 

'*     John  Stearns,  Jr.,  Aug.  1846  ''  July,  1849. 

''     Edmund  Richards,       Dec.   1849''  Oct.  185 1. 

''     Joseph  Ransom,  185 1  ''  1861. 

"     Richard  Graham  Hutton,  A.B.,  Oct.  1861 

to- April,  1874. 
Rev.  Charles  W.  Ward,         Oct.  1874  to  May,  1875. 

*'     James  Byron  Murray,  D.  D.  1875  "  1876. 

**     George  R.  Vandewater,  Oct.  1 876  "  Feb.    1 880. 

"     WiUiam  Montague  Geer,  March,  1880. 


From  this  account  of  the  history  of  the  Church  at 
Oyster  Bay,  we  return  to  that  of  the  ministry  of  the 
Rector  of  St.  George's,  the  Rev.  T.  L.  Moore. 

The  town  of  Hempstead  was  increasing  rapidly  in 
population,  and  its  large  territory  offered  many  new 
points  where  the  services  of  the  Church  were  needed, 
and  could  be  advantageously  used.  And  although 
Mr.  Moore  was  active  and  diligent,  he  found  the 
work  growing  upon  him.  He  did  all  in  his  power  to 
minister  the  Word  and  Sacraments  in   every  part  of 


Rev.  Thos.  Lambert  Moore,  183 

his  parish.  At  Success,  in  the  north  part  of  the 
parish,  he  held  services  at  least  one  Sunday  every 
month  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  which  was 
kindly  loaned  to  him,  for  the  convenience  of  his 
parishioners  at  Manhasset  and  on  the  Necks.  He 
also  held  services  on  week  days  in  private  houses  and 
school  houses  in  the  south  part  of  the  parish,  as  at 
Hicks'  Neck,  and  at  Gen.  Van  Wyck's  at  Rockaway. 
But  at  the  parish  church  alone  could  the  services  be 
enjoyed  with  all  appropriate  ceremonies,  and  this 
fact  was  appreciated  by  the  people.  At  the  festivals 
especially,  and  particularly  at  Christmas,  when  the 
dressing  of  the  Sanctuary  with  evergreens  was  so 
distinctive  a  custom  of  the  Episcopal  Church, — and 
so  common  a  matter  of  reproach  to  us  then  from 
other  denominations, — the  people  flocked  to  tb.e  old 
church  in  numbers  entirely  beyond  its  capacity  to  ac- 
commodate them.  They  came  from  the  most  distant 
parts  of  Rockaway,  from  South  Oyster  Bay,  from 
Foster's  Meadow,  and  from  the  Necks  of  north 
Hempstead  even  down  to  Sands  Point.  An  aged 
lady,''^  who  in  her  youth  lived  at  Success — Lakeville, 
— related  to  the  writer  her  well  remembered  experi- 
ence in  attending  church  in  those  days,  when 
**  Parson  Moore  was  the  minister."  To  traverse 
the  fourteen  miles,  from  Great  Neck  and  Cow 
Neck,  over  bad  roads,  and  when  light  carriages  were 
a  luxury  unattainable,  required  a  start  of  at  least 
three  hours  before  church  time.  The  usual  convey- 
ance was  a  farm  wagon — without  springs — prepared 


*  Mrs.  Hannah  Nostrand  Cornwell. 


184  St  Georges  Church. 

for  Sunday  use  by  having  chairs  for  the  elder  persons 
and  clean  straw  in  the  bottom  for  children.  Those 
who  could  not  compass  even  such  a  moderate  degree 
of  luxury,  and  were  obliged  to  come  on  foot,  were 
careful  to  reserve  their  shoes  and  stockings  in  their 
hands,  until  they  reached  the  borders  of  the  village ; 
^vhen,  either  in  the  *•  Parsonage  Brook"  or  Burly 
Pond,  they  removed  the  accumulated  dust  from 
tlieir  feet,  and  completed  their  toilet. 

An  interesting  and  memorable  event  during  Mr. 
Moore's  rectorship,  was  the  first  confirmation  in  the 
parish.  Until  this  period  there  had  been  no  Bishop 
in  the  country  to  administer  the  sacred  rite.  Pre- 
vious generations  of  Churchmen  in  this  land  had  been 
deprived  of  the  privilege  of  the  sanctif}^ing  ad:.  They 
had  felt — as  already  observed,  p.  120 — the  depri- 
vation to  be  a  hardship  and  a  wrong.  And  it  was  a 
wrong  harder  to  bear  because  it  was  produced  by  the 
opposition  of  godless  statesmen  in  Great  Britain,  to 
the  appointments  of  Bishops  for  the  Colonies. 
Churchmen  from  all  parts  of  the  land  had  protested 
and  had  prayed  in  vain  to  be  endowed  with  the  in- 
struments of  Apostolic  appointment,  without  which 
the  Church  could  not  preserve  her  existence.  *'  The 
poor  Church  of  America,"  v/as  the  complaint  of 
Churchmen  at  the  time — "  is  worse  off  than  her 
adversaries  that  are  round  about  her.  She  has  no- 
body on  the  spot  to  comfort  or  confirm  her  children, 
— nobody  to  ordain  such  as  are  willing  to  serve." 

The  complaint  was  well  founded. 

**  Only  that  communion  which   clave   close  to  the 
Apostolic  model  was  on  all  sides  cramped  and  weak- 


Rev,  Thos,  Lambert  Moore,  185 

ened  :  without  the  centre  of  visible  unity — without 
•the  direction  of  common  efforts — without  the  power 
of  confirming  the  young,  whilst  it  taught  the  young 
that  there  was  a  blessing  in  the  very  rite  which  it 
withheld  from  them, — without  the  power  of  ordina- 
tion, whilst  it  maintained  that  it  was  needful  for  a 
true  succession  of  the  priesthood, — declaring  by  its 
own  teacliing,  its  maimed  and  imperfect  condition^ 
and  feeling  it  practically  at  every  turn.'"^ 

The  consciences  of  Churchmen,  and  especially  the 
clergy,  were  hurt  by  reason  of  this  arbitrary  with- 
holding of  privileges  pertaining  to  the  Christian 
birthright.  *'  There  is  a  dispute  among  our  clergy,'* 
wrote  one  of  them  to  the  Bishop  of  London,t  **  relat- 
ing to  the  exhortation  after  baptism  to  the  godfather^ 
to  bring  the  child  to  the  Bishop  to  be  confirmed. 
Our  adversaries  object  to  it  as  a  mere  jest  to  order  the 
godfather  to  bring  the  child  to  the  Bishop,  when  there 
is  not  one  within  a  thousand  leagues  of  us." 

The  evil  and  wrong  which  was  done  to  the  Church 
in  America  by  those  who  were  in  authority  in  Eng- 
land, in  stubbornly  disregarding  her  piteous  entrea- 
ties to  send  her  men  endowed  with  the  Apostolic 
order  and  authority,  has  recently  been  recited  in  a 
speecli  mr.de  before  the  Propagation  Society  at  Lin- 
coln, England,  at  the  Anniversary  of  that  Society, 
November  7,  1880,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  A.  N.  Litdejohn, 
D.D.,  LL.D.,  Bishop  of  Long  Island,  of  which  we 
give  an  extract : 

"For  nearly  a  century  and  a  half  the  Church  in. 

*  Wilberforcc,  Hist.  Amer.  Church,  .p.  ill. 
\  Wilberforce,  Hist.  Amer.  Church,  p.  112, 


1 86  S^.  George's  Church, 

America  was  left  without  the  Episcopate  ;  and  when 
given,  it  was  with  reluctance  and  almost  under* 
constraint.  For  all  that  time  a  hearty  allegiance 
to  the  Mother  Church  was  repaid  with  neglect. 
Meanwhile,  there  were  hundreds  of  parishes,  but  no 
diocese  ;  multitudes  of  the  baptized,  but  no  confirm- 
ation ;  priests  demanded  on  all  sides  to  guide  the 
infant  colonial  life,  but  no  ordination  save  by  crossing 
3000  miles  of  ocean.  Meanwhile,  too,  every  Eng- 
lish speaking  sect,  embarrassed  by  no  such  funda- 
mental defects  of  polity  and  discipline,  going  out  to  the 
New  World  on  fire  with  zeal  kindled  by  both  politi- 
cal and  ecclesiastical  difTerences  at  home,  found  a  safe 
and  welcome  lodgment,  and  laid  deep  and  wide  the 
foundations  of  their  power ;  so  that  when  the  Ameri- 
can Church  at  last  appeared  in  the  field,  with  the 
Apostolic  Equipment  so  long  withheld,  she  seemed 
as  one  born  out  of  due  time,"  &c. 

The  great  impediment  to  the  growth  and  welfare 
of  the  Church  having  been  removed,  and  Bishop 
Provoost  having  been  consecrated  in  England,  Feb.  4, 
1787,  Bishop  of  New  York, — the  following  Octobe'r, 
Wednesday  the  3 1  st,  he  came  to  this  parish,  and  after 
the  Morning  Service,  read  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Beach, 
an  assistant  minister  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York, 
and  a  sermon  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bloomer,  of  Grace 
Church,  Jamaica;  he  confirmed  one  hundred  and 
fifty-five  persons — the  accumulated  candidates  of 
many  years,  and  the  largest  class  yet  confirmed  in  the 
parish.  The  list  of  that  first  class  has  been  happily 
preserved.  It  includes  the  names  of  persons  from  all 
portions  of  the  extended  parish.  Among  them  are 
the  familiar  names  of  such  sturdy  Churchmen  as 
Kissam,    Allen,    Burtis,    Treadwell,  Thorn,    Clowes, 


Rev.  Thos.  Lambert  Moore,  187 

Mitchel,  Hewlett,  Piatt,  Van  Nostrand,  Cornell,  Gilder- 
sleeve,  Demot,  Jackson,  Bedel,  Sands,  Curtis,  Car- 
man, Hagner,  Onderdonk,  Rhodes,  Weeks,  Petit, 
Durling,  Pool,  Titus,  Baldwin,  Stringham  and  John- 
son. 

It  may  be  regarded  as  a  fulfilment  of  the  assurance 
of  long  life  as  a  part  of  the  heritage  of  righteousness, 
that  of  those  thus  confirmed  in  1787,  there  were 
several  still  living  and  active  members  of  the  church, 
more  than  fifty  years  afterwards,  viz.: 

George  Weeks,  died  1854  aged  84  years. 

Mrs.  Jane  (Stringham)  Abrams,  died  1864,  aged  93. 
Miss  Sarah  Smith,  died  i860,  aged  93  years. 

Mrs.  Abigail  (Carman)  Clowes,  died  1855  aged  81. 
Benjamin  Treadwell,  died  1855,  aged  85  years. 

Mrs.  Mary  Ann  (Moore)  Hewlett, . 

(sister  of  the  Rector)  died  1853,  aged  Z6. 
Mrs.  Sarah  Pettit,  died  1853,  aged  89  years. 

On  the  20th  of  February,  1799,  the  useful  minis- 
try of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Lambert  Moore  was  closed 
by  death,  in  the  41st  year  of  his  age.  At  his  funeral 
the  church  edifice  was  draped  in  mourning.  The 
burial  service  was  read  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rattoone,  of 
Jamaica,  and  a  sermon  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Van  Dyke,  of  St.  James'  Church,  Newtown,  and  the 
interment  was  under  the  chancel  of  the  church,  which 
position  is  indicated  by  the  tombstone  erected  over 
the  remains,  when  the  church  was  taken  down,  and 
the  present  site  chosen  for  the  new  one. 

A  mural  tablet  was  erected  in  1807  in  the  church 
to  his  memory,  which  bears  this  inscription: 


l88  S^,  George's  Church, 

I.    H.    s. 

Sacred  to  the  Memory  of  the 

Revd.  Thos.  Lambt.  Moore,  M.  A., 

late  Rector  of  this  Church. 

Bom  at  New  York  the  22nd  February,  1758, 

Ordained  Deacon  by  the  Bishop  of  London, 

the  2 1  St  September,  1 781, 

and  Priest  by  the  Bishop  of  Chester, 

the  24th  February,  1782. 

Called  to  this  Parish  the  3rd  March,  1785, 

and  died  the  20th  February,  1799. 

By  his  engaging  and  persuasive  manners, 

his  Christian  zeal  and  popular  talents, 

he  gathered  and  left 

a  numerous  and  respectable  Congregation 

To  perpetuate 

his  revered  memory  and  usefulness. 

The  Corporation  of  St.  George's  Church, 

have  erected  this  stone, 

the  tribute  of  their  gratitude 

and  affection. 

The  portrait  of  the  Rev.  Thos.  L.  Moore  was 
painted  while  he  was  in  England,  and  a  copy  of  it, 
presented  by  his  son,  Thomas  Daniel  Moore,  to  St. 
George's  Church,  hangs  in  the  robing  room.  The 
pubhcations  of  Mr.  Moore  were  : 

Sermon  before  Convention  of  the  Diocese  of  New  York,  Nov.  3, 
1789.     Sermon    on   Religious  Divisions,  1792. 

He  was  elected  a  delegate  to  the  General  Conven- 
tion from  New  York,  in  1789,  1792,  and  1795,  and 
was  a  member  of  the  Standing  Committee  of  the 
Diocese  of  New  York  in  1790. 

At  his  death  he  left  a  widow,  Mrs.  Judith  Moore, 
who  died  October,  1834  ;  a  son,  Thomas  Daniel,  who 
became  a  merchant  in  New  York  City,  and  died  June 
18,  1857  ;  and  three  daughters,  v/ho  remained  unmar- 


Rev. '  Tkos.  La^nbert  Moore.  1 89 

ried.  One  of  these,  and  the  latest  survivor,  Elizabeth 
Frances,  born  in  the  Rectory,  and  the  first  child  born  in 
it,  December  18,  1793,  died  at  Hempstead,  where  she 
had  resided  for  the  previous  seventeen  years,  February 
19,  1 88 1,  aged  Z%  years  and  two  months.  In  her 
infancy  she  was  so  feeble  that  no  hope  was  entertained 
of  her  continuing  long  to  live.  And  through  all  her 
life  her  attenuated  frame  declared  the  absence  of  ro- 
bust health,  and  yet  she  outlived  and  was  longer  lived 
than  any  member  of  her  family. 

Always  of  a  buoyant  spirit,  in  despite  the  lack  of 
bodily  vigor,  her  declining  years  exhibited  a  pleasing 
example  of  cheerful  piety  and  placid  old  age.  Her 
remains  were  laid  beside  those  of  her  parents  and 
sisters,  in  the  ground  which  had  been  beneath  the 
chancel  of  the  old  church. 

Mr.  Moore's  ministry  left  a  beneficent  impression, 
which  endured  through  the  lives  of  his  parishioners. 
It  was  cherished  and  extolled  by  the  few  aged  sur- 
vivors when  the  writer  came  to  the  rectorship,  fifty 
years  after  Mr.  Moore's  decease.  It  is  not  the  privi- 
lege, nor  in  the  power  of  many  of  Christ's  ambassa- 
dors to  write  their  memories  so  deeply  in  the  hearts 
of  their  people. 

Mr.  Moore's  influence  is  accounted  for  by  his  ex- 
cellent qualities  as  a  man  and  pastor,  and  his 
effectiveness  as  a  preacher.  In  the  latter  point  he  is 
said  to  have  strongly  resembled  his  brother,  Bishop 
R.  C.  Moore,  of  Virginia.  Like  his  brother,  he  com- 
bined vigor  of  delivery  and  emphasis  of  manner  with 
a  peculiarly  suasory  intonation  of  voice,  which  was  at 
once  clear,  flexible  and  sympathetic.      Like  him,  too, 


I90  St.  George  s  Church, 

he  had  the  gift  of  arousing  and  enchaining  the  atten- 
tion of  those  who  are  usually  apathetic.  And  he 
had,  in  an  unusual  degree,  the  ability  to  impress  his 
hearers  with  the  feeling  that  his  intense  earnestness 
proceeded  from  his  deep  conviction  of  the  truth  and 
immeasurable  importance  of  what  he  declared.  He 
was  permitted  to  see  large  fruits  to  his  ministry,  and 
accomplished  what  St.  Peter  desired :  "  I  will  en- 
deavor that  ye  may  be  able  after  my  decease  to  have 
these  things  always  in  remembrance." — 2  Peter  i  :  15. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

1799 — 1829. 

TWO  months  after  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Thos, 
Lambert  Moore,  the  Vestry  of  St.  George's 
Church,  at  a  meeting  held  April  8,  1799,  took  meas- 
ures to  supply  the  vacant  rectorship,  and  made  the 
following  record  : 

"  It  having  pleased  Almighty  God  to  deprive  this 
Church  of  our  late  dear  and  worthy  Pastor,  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Lambert  Moore,  who  after  a  residence  of 
Fourteen  years  in  this  Parish,  departed  this  Life,  on 
the  20th  February  last,  sincerely  lamented  by  his 
whole  congregation — The  Vestry  unanimously  agreed 
to,  and  did  nominate  as  his  successor,  tlie  Rev.  Rich'd 
Channing  Moore,  of  Staten  Island,  Brother  of  the  de- 
ceased." 

A  call  in  due  form  having  been  drawn  up  and 
signed,  together  with  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  R.  C.  Moore, 
they  were  committed  to  the  hands  of  Col.  R.  Thorne 
to  deliver. 

On  the  14th  of  May  it  being  reported  to  the  Vestry 
that  the  Rev.  Mr.  IMoore  had  by  letter  of  the  7th 
inst.  declined  the  call  for  the  reasons  therein  set  forth 
— the  Vestry  determined  to  appoint  a  Committee  to 


192  Sf.  Georges  Church, 

confer  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ratoone,  then  Rector  of 
Jamaica  and  Flushing,  Messrs.  Thos.  Clowes  and  John 
Moore  were  appointed  the  Committee. 

This  Committee  subsequently  reported  that  they 
had  waited  on  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ratoone,  who,  while  ex- 
pressing his  thanks  to  the  Vestry  for  their  kind  inten- 
tions, declared  that  for  many  weighty  reasons  which 
attached  him  to  Jamaica  and  Flushing,  he  could  not 
accept  a  call  from  this  church. 

A  letter  having  been  brought  to  the  notice  of  the 
Vestry  from  tlic  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  White,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waddel  of  New  Jersey,  recom- 
mending the  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart  in  the  strongest  terms, 
both  as  to  his  professional  abilities  and  moral  character, 
it  was  unanimously  resolved  to  call  him,  and  Mr.  John 
Moore  was  made  tlie  bearer  of  the  call,  who  subse- 
quently reported  that  he  had  waited  upon  ]^!r.  Hobart 
at  Princeton,  and  Mr.  H.  replied  in  a  letter  to  the 
Vestry  that  his  immediate  acceptance  of  the  call  was 
only  prevented  oy  a  temporary  engagement  at  New 
Brunswick,  which  would  not  terminate  till  the  follow- 
ing May.  Upon  this  the  call  was  unanimously  re- 
newed, together  with  the  assurance  that  the  Vestry 
would  wait  till  his  engagement  at  New  Brunswick  was 
ended,  and  only  asking  that  as  Mr.  Hobart  was  not 
engaged  at  New  Brunswick  for  the  fourth  Sunday  of 
eacli  month,  he  would  officiate  on  those  Sundays  at 
Hempstead  as  often  as  circumstances  would  permit. 

The  earnest  and  wise  desire  of  the  Vestry  to  secure 
the  Rev.  John  Henry  Hobart  for  their  rector,  is  suffi- 
ciently evinced  by  this  proceeding  of  theirs.  They 
had  undoubtedly  increasing  reason,   with  increasing 


Rev    John  Hefiry  Hobart  195, 

acquaintance  with  him,  to  feel  assured  that  under  his 
guidance  and  rule  the  parish  would  have  every  rea- 
sonable ground  to  expect  to  be  continued  in  its  career 
of  advancing  spiritual  and  temporal  prosperity. 

On  the  17th  December,  1799,  a  letter  from  the  Rev, 
Mr.  Hobart  led  to  the  following  action  by  the  Vestry.. 

"The  Vestry  being  desirous  of  doing  every  thing 
in  their  power  for  Mr.  Hobart's  accommodation,  and 
to  render  his  situation  comfortable  and  happy  while  he 
shall  continue  to  be  their  minister,  do  unanimously 
agree  and  engage  to  comply  with  the  following  par- 
ticulars : 

''The  annual  salary  which  in  the  call  to  Mr.  Hobart. 
v/as  estimated  at  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds, 
shall  be  absolute  and  fixed,  at  that  sum,  without  de~ 
duction. 

"  Mr.  Hobart  shall  be  punctually  and  timely  sup- 
plied with  as  much  firewood  as  he  shall  deem 
necessary  for  the  use  of  his  family,  without  any 
expense  to  him. 

"  A  good  and  sufftcient  Barn  shall  be  erected  in 
the  course  of  the  next  Spring,  in  all  respects  suitable 
to  the  Parsonage.  And  the  Parsonage  House  and 
Fencing  shall  be  painted  agreeably  to  Mr.  Hobart's 
wishes." 

The  Vestry  having  met  all  the  requests  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Hobart,  promptly,  and  in  an  admirable  spirit  of 
generosity,  all  hindrances  were  removed.  Mr.  Hobart 
accepted  the  call  and  entered  upon  the  Rectorship  of 
St.  George's  Parish  on  Whitsunday,  June  i,  1800. 

The  Rectorship  had  thus  been   vacant  for  a  year 

and  four  months.     But  the  Vestry   had    taken  care 

that  the  spiritual  needs  of  the   parish  should  not  be, 

meanwhile,  neglected.     Service    was    performed  on 

9 


194  >^^  Georges  Church. 

forty-one  out  of  the  sixty-eight  intervening  Sundays. 
Of  these  services  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart  had  charge 
ten  times,  and  the  Vestry  thoughtfully  made  provis- 
ion to  remunerate  him  for  the  expenses  he  incurred. 
The  other  services  were  performed  by  the  following 
clergymen, — viz.:  The  Rev.  Mr.  Ireland,  the  Rector 
of  St.  Ann's  Church,  Brooklyn  ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Van 
Dyke,  of  St.  James*,  Newtown ;  Rev.  Elijah  D. 
Ratoone,  of  Jamaica ;  Rev.  Rd.  Channing  Moore,  of 
Staten  Island  ;  Rev.  John  Jackson  Sands,  of  Islip  ; 
Rev.  Mr.  Van  Horn,  of  Orange  County ;  Dr.  — 
afterwards  Bishop  —  Benjamin  Moore ;  Rev.  Mr.. 
Young,  of  Virginia:  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Bissett,  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York ;  Rev.  EUas. 
Cooper,  of  Yonkers  ;  Rev.  Charles  Seabury,  of  Con- 
necticut, and  the  Rev.  John  Urquhart,  of  Johnstown 
and  Fort  Hunter. 

The  pastoral  connection  between  the  Rev.  John 
Henry  Hobart  and  St.  George's  Parish,  which  had 
been  so  earnestly  sought  by  the  Vestry,  and  which 
began  auspiciously,  was  destined  to  be  of  brief  con- 
tinuance. The  shining  qualities  in  Mr.  Hobart  which 
were  so  attractive  to  the  Vestry  of  St.  George's,  were 
equally  well  appreciated  by  others.  In  less  than  six 
months  after  his  coming  here,  Mr.  Hobart  received  a 
call  to  become  an  Assistant  Minister  in  Trinity  Parish,. 
New  York.  The  Vestry  of  St.  George's  reluctantly,, 
but  magnanimously  consented  to  the  severance  of 
the  pastoral  bond. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  enter  into  any  description  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart,  who  soon  became  the  re- 
nowned Bishop  of  New  York,   and  whose  title  ta 


Rev.  John   Henry  Hobart,  195 

wide  and  permanent  remembrance  is  not  excelled  by 
that  of  any  of  the  good  men  who  have  adorned  the 
Episcopal  bench  in  the  Church  Catholic.  But  it  is  a 
coincidence  worth  noting,  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ho- 
bart,  who  became  the  Rector  of  St.  George's,  Hemp- 
stead, was  descended  from  the  same  stock  with  the 
Rev.  Jeremy  Hobart  (or  Hubbart,  as  it  was  some- 
times written),  the  Congregational  or  Independent 
minister,  who  had  been  the  minister  in  Hempstead  in 
1682.'^'  Mr.  Hobart,  at  the  time  he  was  called  from 
this  parish  to  be  assistant  minister  in  Trinity  Church, 
New  York,  was  but  in  Deacon's  Orders,  and  only 
twenty-five  years  old.f  He  was  not  insensible  to  the 
kindly  efforts  which  the  Vestry  of  St.  George's  had 
made  for  his  comfort.  To  Dr.  John  Charlton,  one 
of  the  Committee  of  the  Vestry  to  apprise  him  of  his 
election  to  be  an  assistant  minister  of  Trinity  Church, 
he  writes  \\ 

"  The  congregation  with  which  I  am  at  present 
connected,  have  exerted  themselves  so  much  to 
render  my  situation  comfortable  and  happy,  that 
I  think  I  cannot  with  delicacy  and  propriety  leave 
them  before  the  spring,  unless  they  are  willing  to 
dispense  with  my  services." 

We  have  seen  that  St.  George's  Vestry  magnani- 
mously, though  reluctantly,  surrendered  their  claim, 
so  that  he  removed  to  New  York  before  the  close 
of  the  year  1 800. 


*  Schroeder's  Life  of  Hobart. 

f  Berrian's  His.  Trinity  Cli.,  p.  195. 

I  Berrian,  p.  194. 


1^6  SL  George  s  Church. 

REV.    SETH    HART. 
To  supply   the   vacancy  again  occurring  so  soon 
and   unexpectedly,  the  Vestry   of  St.    George's  ex- 
tended an  invitation  to  the  Rev.  Seth  Hart,  of  Wall- 
ingford,  Connecticut,  to  become  Rector. 

Mr.  Hart  was  recommended  to  the  attention  of  the 
Vestry  in  letters  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hull,  of  Connecti- 
cut ;  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York, 
and  especially  Mr.  Hart's  own  Diocesan,  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Jarvis.  Mr.  Hart  VN-as  not  entirely  unknown 
to  the  congregation,  having  preached  in  St  George's 
a  little  time  before  ]\Ir.  Hobart  left,  *'  to  very  general 
acceptance." 

The  arrangements  for  Mr.  Hart's  support  were 
substantially  the  same  as  those  made  with  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Hobart,  viz.,  ^^150  per  annum — the  use  of  the 
parsonage,  with  the  glebe  attached  ;  the  use  of  the 
Greenfield  farm,  and  the  farm  near  the  South  Bay, 
called  *'  the  South  Parsonage,"  with  liberty  to  him  to 
take  from  the  latter,  wood  for  fuel  and  for  fencing. 
But  the  Vestry  did  not  renew  the  promise  made  to 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart,  to  supply  the  wood  themselves. 
Mr.  Hart  must  get  it  for  himself. 

These  terms  were  accepted  by  Mr.  Hart,  he  stipu- 
lating to  divide  his  services  on  Sundays  between 
South  and  North  Hempstead  in  such  a  manner  as 
might  be  determined  on. 

Mr.  Hart  entered  into  possession  on  Sunday,  Dec. 
21,  1800.  The  form  of  induction  seems  to  have 
been  omitted  both  in  this  instance  and  in  the  case  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart ;  and  appears  not  to  have  been 
resumed  till  many  years  afterwards. 


Rev.  Seth  Hart  197 

Mr.  Hart  was  born  at  Berlin,  Connecticut,  June  21, 
1763  ;*  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1784;  was  or- 
dained Deacon,  Oct.  9,  1 791,  by  Bishop  Seabury, 
and  Priest,  Oct.  14,  1792.  He  preached  first  at 
Waterbury,  Conn.,  and  from  1794  to  1798  was 
rector  of  the  churches  at  Wallingford  and  New  Haven. 
Some  difficulty  having  arisen  in  the  parish  of  New- 
Haven,  he  resigned  it  just  previous  to  his  call  to 
Hempstead.  Mr.  Hart  had  the  reputation  of  being  a 
good  classical  scholar,  and  was  an  amiable  man,  of  a 
cheerful  and  almost  jovial  temperament;  and  had 
attained  the  reputation  of  being  a  successful  teacher. 

1 80 1,  March  4. — The  following  advertisement  re-, 
lating  to  his  school  appeared : 

"The  Rev.  Seth  Hart,  Rector  of  St.  George's 
Church,  Hempstead,  is  disposed  to  take  six  or  eight  to 
board  and  lodge  in  his  family  and  be  instructed  in  read- 
ing, writing,  arithmetic,  geography,  English  grammar 
and  the  Latin  and  Greek  Languages.  Due  attention 
will  be  paid  to  the  morals  of  youth  intrusted  to  his 
care.  The  situation  is  healthy,  pleasant  and  con- 
venient, being  22  miles  from  New  York,  and  a  regu- 
lar stage  runs  every  Monday  and  Friday  and  returns 
Tuesdays  and  Saturdays." 

An  aptitude  ibr  mechanical  inventions  allured  him 
to  give  much  of  his  time  and  thoughts  to  such  matters. 
And  in  the  hope  oi  making  up  the  deficiency  in  the 
means  of  his  support  caused  by  a  small  salary,  and 
the  increasing  cost  of  living,  he  engaged  in  some  mer- 
cantile occupations,  which  resulted  unfavorably,  and 
proved   a    source    of    pecuniary    embarrassment    to 

y:j,         *  Sprague's  Epis.  Pulpit,  p.  400. 


198  Church  at  Manhasset, 

him.  Meanwhile  he  carried  on  a  classical  school ;  en- 
deavored to  make  the  land  which  had  been  made  part 
of  his  income  (and  the  larger  portion  of  which  land 
lay  four  miles  away),  to  yield  something  to  his  sup-^ 
port;  and  took  care  for  the  spiritual  needs  of  a  parish 
extending  in  one  direction  fourteen  miles  and  having 
services  in  two  places.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Hobart  esti- 
mated the  number  of  persons  who  were  under  his  pas- 
toral care  to  be  over  1000;  and  the  number  in  Mr. 
Hart's  day  was  probably  no  less. 

Freed  from  anxiety  about  his  support,  provided  in 
a  generous  and  open-handed  manner  with  a  sufficient 
salary  by  such  a  large  parish,  Mr.  Hart  might  have 
been  free  from  temptations  to  spend  his  strength  in 
such  diverse  occupations,  and  the  parish  would  have 
profited  by  his  undivided  attention  to  his  calling  as 
Christ's  ambassador.  These  truths  do  not  appear  to- 
have  duly  impressed  those  upon  whom  the  great  re- 
sponsibility rested  at  that  time. 

CHURCH   AT   MANHASSET. 

In  June,  1802,  the  members  of  St.  George's  parish 
who  resided  in  North  Hempstead,  notified  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Hart  and  the  Vestry  of  their  desire  to  build  a 
church  in  that  town,"  to  be  under  the  care  of  the 
Rector  and  Vestry  of  St.  George's  Church  ;  and  ex- 
pressed their  belief  that  the  measure  would  result  in 
strengthening  the  parish,  besides  affording  a  place  of 
worship  to  be  owned  and  controlled  by  the  constituted 
authorities  of  the  Church,  and  convenient  to  those  re- 
siding in  that  part  of  the  parish  who  had  found  the 

*  Parish  Records,  p.  175. 


Rev.  Seth  Hart,  199 

distance  to  the  parish  church  an  obstacle  to  their  fre- 
quent attendance.  They  offered  to  relinquish  all  claim 
on  any  portion  of  the  parish  property,  either  for  the 
building  or  maintaining  the  edifice,  and  asked  only  a 
share  in  the  services  of  the  Rector  as  heretofore.  This 
proposition  was  the  natural  outcome  of  the  services 
which  for  fifteen  years  had  been  held  in  the  Reformed. 
Dutch  Church  at  Success,  through  the  courtesy  of  its 
members.  And  it  was  an  indication  of  progress  and 
adva^icement  in  the  feelings  of  Churchmen  which  the 
Vestry  could  not  but  regard  with  favor. 

After  a  brief  consideration,  the  consent  of  the 
Vestry  was  given  to  the  request,  and  a  committee 
from  that  body  appointed  to  collect  the  funds  neces- 
sary, which  were  to  be  expended  through  their 
treasurer.  But  on  further  consideration  of  the 
subject,  this  plan  was  abandoned  and  the  matter  was 
left  entirely  in  the  hands  of  the  promoters  of  the 
enterprise.  These  gentlemen  promptly  solicited  the 
funds  necessary  for  building,  and  met  with  liberal  re- 
sponses. The  application  for  leave  to  build  was 
made  and  granted  in  June,  and  by  December,  the 
sum  of  $3,725  had  been  obtained  by  the  subscription 
of  173  persons — an  average  of  over  twewty  dollars 
for  each  subscriber.  Nearly  all  the  subscribers  re- 
sided in  the  neighborhood  of  what  is  now  called 
Manhasset ;  but  particularly  the  territory  formerly 
called  Cow-Neck,  lying  between  Hempstead  Harbor 
Bay  on  the  cast,  and  Manhasset  or  Cow  Bay  on  the 
west.  To  the  amount  raised  by  private  subscriptions, 
Trinity  Church,  New  York,  generously  added  a  dona- 
tion of  $2,000.    From  the  sum  thus  obtained,  a  lot  of 


200  Church  at  Manhasset. 

land  of  two  acres  and  ninety-seven  square  rods  was 
purchased  of  George  Onderdonk,  and  Sarah  his  wife, 
for  $195.47,  and  the  building  was  begun.  The 
ladies  of  the  congregation,  entering  into  the  spirit  of 
the  matter,  undertook  a  measure  at  that  time  unusual 
if  not  altogether  unprecedented,  of  raising  among 
themselves  the  money  for  the  necessary  furniture  of 
the  church. 

The  church  was  consecrated  by  the  name  of  Christ 
Church,  on  Sunday,  Nov.  20,  1803,  by  the  Rt.  Rev. 
Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D.,  who  also,  at  the  same  time,, 
confirmed  fifty  persons.  The  rector  of  the  parish,, 
the  Rev.  Seth  Hart,  read  the  service,  and  Bishop 
Moore  preached.  In  1808  Mr.  Adam  Empie — a 
candidate  for  Holy  Orders,  was  licensed  a  lay-reader 
by  Bishop  Moore,  and  officiated  as  an  assistant  to- 
Mr.  Hart,  principally  at  Christ  Church.  Being  or- 
dained Deacon  in  1809,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Empie  was 
made  assistant  minister  to  Mr.  Hart,  in  which  position 
he  continued  until  181 2,  when  he  removed  to  North 
Carolina.*  He  was  afterwards  Chaplain  at  West 
Point — returned  again  to  the  South,  became  Rector  of 
St.  James'  Church,  Richmond,  Virginia,  President 
of  William  and  Mary's  College  in  1829,  and  died 
i860. 

To  him  succeeded  the  Rev.  Birdsey  G.  Noble,  who- 
officiated  there  about  a  year.  From  18 14  the  Rev. 
Eli  Wheeler  occasionally  officiated  in  Christ  Church. 
In  1818  Christ  Church  Academy  was  erected  by  the- 
Vestry  on  the  church  grounds,  and  then  the  Rev. 
Mr.    Wheeler,   in   a   letter    to   the   Rector,    Church 


*  Jour.  N.  Y.  Conven.,  1812. 


Rev,  Seth  Hart  201 

Wardens  and  Vestry  of  St.  George's  Church,  Hemp- 
stead, accepted  the  appointment  of  assistant  minister, 
and  also  took  the  office  of  principal  of  the  Academy. 
In  this  capacity,  as  well  as  the  minister  of  the  church, 
.after  it  became  a  separate  corporation,  he  continued 
till  Nov.  I,  1823.  He  had  as  assistants  in  his  Acad- 
emy,"^ James  P.  Cotter,  William  Shelton — afterwards 
Rev.  Dr.  Shelton,  more  than  fifty  years  Rector  of  St. 
Paul's,  Buffalo, — and  Harry  Finch,  candidates  for 
Orders.  The  Rev.  James  P.  F.  Clark  succeeded  the 
Rev.  Eli  Wheeler  as  minister  of  Christ  Church  and 
as  principal  of  the  Academy,  in  1823,  and  continued 
till  June,  1832,  when  he  resigned.  Mr.  Clark  had 
among  his  assistants  in  conducting  the  academy, 
William  J.  Barry,  Frederick  Craft,  Henry  Onder- 
■donk,  Jr.,  and  the  Rev.  William  Ernenpeutch.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Clark  was  recalled  in  1837  '^i^d  continued 
in  charge  till  Oct.  17,  1849. 

Through  the  employment  of  an  assistant  minister 
for  North  Hempstead,  it  was  possible  to  have  services 
in  Christ  Church  every  Sunday,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hart, 
the  Rector,  officiating  there  alternately  with  the 
assistant.  After  a  time  it  was  felt  that  the  condition 
of  Christ  Church  would  warrant  its  separate  and  in- 
<iependent  existence,  and  the  proper  steps  were 
taken,  agreeable  to  act  of  assembly  of  April  5,  1813, 
to  effect  this  purpose,  of  which  the  following  account 
is  given  in  the  Parish  Records  : 

**  At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  of  Christ 
Church,  North  Hempstead,  held  pursuant  to  public 
notice,  in  Christ  Church  Academy,  on  Monday,  29th 

*  Notes  of  Henry  Onderdonk,  Jr. 


202  Church   at  Maiihasset, 

March,  1819,  for  the  purpose  of  incorporating  said 
church,  Wynant  Vanzandt  was  appointed  Chairman, 
and  David  Kissam  Secretary, 

"  On  motion  made  and  seconded.  It  was  unan- 
imously resolved,  that  this  meeting  now  proceed  to 
organize  said  church  by  appointmg  the  Wardens  and 
eight  Vestrymen. 

"  Resolved,  That  Messrs.  George  Hewlett  and  John 
Kissam  be  appointed  Wardens. 

''Resolved,  That  W^m.  Mitchell,  Benj'n  Hewlett, 
Daniel  Kissam,  Benjamin  Piatt,  John  Sands,  Daniel 
Cornell,  Benjamin  Treadwell,  jr.,  and  Lewis  S.  Hew- 
lett be  appointed  Vestrymen. 

**  Resolved,  That  the  next  election  for  officers  shall 
take  place  on  Monday  of  Easter  week. 

*'  Resolved,  That  the  style  and  title  of  this  church 
shah  be  Christ  Church. 

Wynant  Van  Zandt,    Chairman. 

Subscribing  witnesses, 

John  Thorne,  jr.,  Benjamin  Tredwell, 

William  Hewlett,  Stephen  Sell. 

"■  Queens  County,  \ss^  —  On  the  29th  day  of 
March,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  nineteen,  came  personally  before  me, 
Singleton  Mitchell,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Picas  for  said  County,  Wynant  Van  Zandt, 
Benjamin  Tredwell  and  Stephen  Sell,  persons  well 
known  to  me  to  be  the  same  as  herein  mentioned, 
and  acknowledged  severally  that  the}^  signed,  sealed 
and  delivered  the  within  instrument  for  the  purposes 
therein  mentioned,  and  do  therefore  allow  it  to  be  re- 
corded. 

"  Singleton  Mitchell. 

**  Qieens  Coujity,  Clerk's  Office,  Jamaica,  April 
15th,    1819. — Recorded   the  within  proceedings  and 


Rev,    Seth  Hart.  203^ 

the  certificate  of  acknowledgment,  in  Lib.  2  of  Deeds,, 
page  128-129. 

Edward  Parker,  Defy  Clerks 

*'  Resolved,  By  the  Wardens  and  Vestry  of  Christ 
Church,  North  Hempstead,  that  their  Treasurer,  Mr. 
Stephen  SeU,  be  authorized  to  receive  from  the  Ves- 
try of  St.  George's  Church,  Hempstead,  the  Legacy 
of  ;^ioo  left  by  Whitehead  Daniel  Hewlett  for  the 
benefit  of  said  Christ  Church. 
''June  19th,  1 8 19, 

*'  John  Kissam,  \  W  ^rl 

VVynant  Van  Zandt,  f 

Daniel  Kissam,  Secretary'^ 

Thus  Christ  Church,  Manhasset,  entered  upon  its 
independent  career,  and  its  history  since  has  vindicat- 
ed the  opinion  entertained  and  urged  at  the  time  that 
the  friendly  dissolution  would  tend  to  extend  the  influ- 
ence and  blessings  of  the  Church.  Christ  Church  was 
the  first  offshoot  of  the  old  Parish — since  then  Rock- 
away  and  Glen-Cove  and  Roslyn,  and  South  Oyster 
Bay  have  taken  the  same  step,  with  the  same  gratify- 
ing results.^  There  were  other  parts  of  the  southern 
boundaries  of  the  parish,  where  a  tabernacle  might 
have  been  set  up  to  grow  into  a  temple,  if  there  had 
but  been  zeal  and  a  self-sacrificing  spirit.  Others  have 
profited  by  our  neglect  and  covered  the  ground  with 
their  places  of  worship. 

To  complete  the  record  of  the  parish,  once  part  of 
St.  George's.  After  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clarke's  first  resig- 
nation, in  1832,  the  Rev.  Joseph  F.  Phillips,  a  deacon, 
was  called  in  August,  1833,  and  ordained  Priest  in  that 

*  The  parish  of  Oyster  Bay  has  a  history  of  its  own,  see  p.  176. 


204  '^^-  George's  Church, 

church  by  Bishop  Onderdonk,  in  October  of  that 
year.  To  him,  Nov.  30th,  1835,  succeeded  the  Rev. 
Moses  Marcus,  who  left  in  1837,  ^^^^  the  Rev.  J.  P.  F. 
Clarke  was  recalled  and  remained  till  Oct.  17,  1849. 
The  Rev.  Samuel  Cox  became  Rector  in  1 849 ;  the 
Rev.  George  W.  Porter,  1854;  Rev.  George  F. 
Bugbee  in  1865,  and  the  Rev.  James  E.  Homans  ia 
1869. 

Up  to  1805,  the  financial  statements  of  St.  George's 
parish  had  been  made  m  £.  s.  &  d. — from  that  date 
they  were  made  in  federal  currency. 

In  1 801  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hart  began  recording  the 
burials  at  which  he  officiated.  Previous  to  that  date 
record  was  made  only  of  baptisms  and  marriages.. 
It  is  not  easy  to  account  for  this,  because  the  earl}^ 
Rectors  were  law-abiding  men,  and  yet  the  70th 
Canon  of  the  Church  of  England  enjoins  that  in 
every  parish  a  book  shall  be  provided  at  the  charge  of 
the  parish — "  wherein  shall  be  written  the  Day  and 
Year  of  every  Christening,  Wedding,  and  Bnrial.'' 

In  May,  1807,  The  Vestry^ 

*^  Resolved,  That  a  certain  neck  of  meadow  land,, 
being  part  of  the  South  Parsonage,  formed  by  the 
bending  of  the  creek  a  little  below  the  net-house,  so. 
called,  containing  about  one  acre,  more  or  less,  now 
cut  off  by  a  canal  dug  last  year  by  Messrs.  Isaac  and 
Abraham  Snedeker,  be  sold  to  the  said  Isaac  and 
Abraham  for  the  consideration  of  fifty  dollars — and 
that  $2$  of  the  same  be  appropriated  by  the  Rector 
for  the  improvement-of  the  other  church  lands." 

In    181 7,  Capt  Stephen  Hewlett  bequeathed  one 

*  Records,  p.  182. 


Rev.  Seth  Hart.  205 

hundred  pounds  to  the  Rector,  Wardens  and  Vestry- 
men of  St.  George's  Church,  Hempstead,  in  their  cor- 
porate capacity,  to  be  by  them  put  into  the  commu- 
nion fund  for  charitable  uses,  the  interest  to  be  used  by 
the  Rector  at  his  discretion  for  the  reHef  of  the  poor.. 
May  23d,  1820,'^  the  Vestry  authorized  the  Rector 
to  invest  this  sum,  together  with  any  other  moneys  be- 
longing to  the  sacrament  fund,  in  the  Hempstead 
Turnpike  stock.  Fifteen  shares,  at  $24  a  share,  were 
thus  purchased,  and  still  remain  the  property  of  the 
corporation,  though  of  late  years, — and  especially 
since  the  advent  of  rail  roads,  they  have  not  been 
very  productive. 

New  Cpiurch. 

In  February,  1822,  the  dilapidated  condition  of  the 
church  received  the  consideration  of  the  Vestry,  and 
it  was 

**  Resolved,  That  it  is  thought  necessary  and  expe- 
dient either  thoroughly  to  repair  the  old  church,  or  to 
build  a  new  one  as  soon  as  possible." 

The  church  built  in  1734  had  then  stood  %Z  years. 

A  Committee,  consisting  of  Samuel  Wood,  Stephen 
Hewlett,  John  Lefterts,  Stephen  Wood,  and  William 
Rhodes,  was  appointed  to  examine  the  old  building, 
and  report  whether  it  would  admit  of  being  repaired 
with  advantage.  The  Rector  and  Mr.  Stephen  Carman 
were  appointed  another  committee  to  ascertain  what  it 
would  probably  cost  to  build  a  new  church,  and  to 
ascertain  if  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  would  give  a 
donation  for  that  purpose. 


*  Records,  p.  205. 


2o6  S^   Georges  Church, 

The  reports  of  these  committees  were  not  recorded, 
but  the  tenor  of  them  is  manifest  by  the  action  of  the 
Vestry,  April  30th,  1822  ;  when  it  was  resolved,  that 
although  Trinity  Church  had  declined  to  give  aid  to 
rebuild  a  church,  yet  as  the  sum  of  $1500  had  been 
obtained  in  New  York  and  Brooklyn  by  private  sub-- 
scriptions,  and  $3000  more  had  been  subscribed  by 
members  of  the  parish  and  friends  of  the  church  in 
the  vicinity, —  the  erection  of  a  new  church  building 
should  be  proceeded  with  without  delay. 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  a  building 
Committee :  Samuel  Wood,  John  Lefferts,  William 
Rhodes,  Gideon  Nichols  and  Thomas  W.  Weeks. 

The  site  for  the  new  building,  it  was  determined, 
should  not  be  that  which  was  occupied  by  the  old 
one,  and  it  was  finally  ordered  that  it  should  be 
".about  four  rods  east  of  the  old  one,  with  about  two- 
thirds  of  its  length  on  ground  to  be  had  of  David 
Bedell." 

And  it  was  also  determined,  whether  by  the  Vestry 
or  the  Building  Committee  is  not  now  known,  that 
the  new  church  should  face  to  the  south,  whereas  the 
old  one  faced  to  the  west,  and  the  chancel  was  at  the 
east  end,  after  the  ancient  custom. 

Here  may  be  introduced  from  the  Parish  Records 
what  on  page  2 1 1  is  termed. 


"In  May,   1822,  began  framing  the  new  churchy 
Mr.  Wm.  Rhodes  head  carpenter. 

"  July  4. — Began  laying  the  foundation,  Mr.  Shep- 
herd Lewis  chief  mason. 


Rev,   Seth  Hart.  207 

*'Aug: — Began  to  raise  and  finish  on  the  *  .  .  . 
without  any  misfortune  attending  the  work.  Carpen- 
ters proceeded  immediately  in  covering,  &c.,  and  by 
beginning  of  winter  it  was  finished  outwardly  and 
the  lower  floor  laid. 

''March  24,  1823. — Carpenters  began  work  again, 
putting  in  the  window  sashes,  which  had  been  made 
by  Mr.  Plenry  Covert. 

'"'April  3. — Pulled  down  the  steeple  of  the  old 
church.  Carpenters'  wages  last  year  were  one  dol- 
lar per  day,  and  six  cents  in  place  of  spirits,  they 
boarding  themselves." 

Services  were  held  meanwhile  in  the  Presbyterian 
church,  the  use  of  which  had  been  granted  at  the 
request  of  the  Vestry,  one  Sunday  for  morning  ser- 
vice, and  the  next  for  evening  or  afternoon  service, 
alternately. 

The  land  on  which  to  place  the  church  was  bought 
of  Mr.  David  Bedell,  for  the  sum  of  fifteen  dollars. 
His  receipt  in  full  is  dated  June  15,  1824. 

The  old  building  was  found,  when  taken  down,  to 
have  been  stoutly  framed,  but  indifferently  covered ; 
and  the  steeple,  whose  rocking  and  swaymg  in  storms 
had  for  some  time  excited  apprehension,  resisted  for 
a  long  time  the  exertions  made  to  overthrow  it.  The 
spindle  and  vane  were  first  carefully  removed,  and  in 
due  time  transferred  to  their  present  position  on  the 
new  steeple. 

The  new  building  was  constructed  in  its  general  plan 
after  one  near  Mr.  Hart's  former  parish  in  Connec- 
ticut.    Remembering   how  little  was  known  at  that 


*  Omission  in  oricrinal. 


2o8  >^^'  Georges  Church, 

time  of  ecclesiastical  architecture,  one  may  be  glad  it 
iis  so  little  misshapen.  The  frame  of  the  building  is 
-of  large  hewn  oak  timber.  The  construction  of  the 
roof  frame  is  peculiar.  The  galleries  are  supported 
by  pillars,  each  of  which  is  one  stick  of  oak,  fourteen 
inches  square  and  about  thirty  feet  long,  reaching 
from  the  foundation  to  the  rafters,  into  which  they 
are  solidly  framed.  To  shape  these  huge  sticks  into 
their  present  form,  a  ponderous  lathe  was  built,  on 
■which  they  were  turned. 

It  is  a  remarkable  and  praiseworthy  fact,  that  when 
the  building  was  finished,  the  whole  amount  of  defi- 
ciency in  the  building  fund  was  found  to  be  but  $250."^ 

All  things  being  now  ready,  the  church  was  con- 
secrated on  the  19th  of  September,  1823,  by  the  Rt. 
Rev.  John  H.  Hobart,  D.D.,  and  the  act  was  thus 
■duly  noted  in  his  Address  to  the  next  Convention  of 
the  Diocese  : 

''On  Friday,  September  19,  1823,  I  consecrated 
.St.  George's  Church,  Hempstead.  This  building  has 
been  erected  near  the  site  of  the  former  church,  which 
was  built  about  eighty  years  ago,  and  the  decayed 
state  of  which  rendered  it  necessary  to  take  it  down. 
The  present  church  is  of  larger  dimensions  than  the 
former,  very  neat  in  its  style,  and  commodious  in  its 
arrangements,  and  reflects  great  credit  on  Mr.  Hart, 
the  rector,  and  the  parish,  by  whose  exertions  and 
liberality  its  erection  has  been  accomplished." 

On  the  Sunday  after  the  consecration,  the  Rector, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Hart,  preached  from  the  text,  Genesis 
18,    part  of  the    17th  verse:   "  How  dreadful  is  this 

*  Parish  Records,  p.  216, 


Rev.   Seth   Hart.  209 

place  !     This  is  none  other  but  the  house  of  God,  and 
this  is  the  gate  of  heaven." 

In  the  course  of  the  sermon  he  thus  speaks  of  the 
particular  matter  which  had  suggested  the  text : 

**  As  it  was  in  the  heart  of  David  to  build  an  house 
unto  the  Lord,  so  it  was  in  your  hearts  to  rebuild  the 
temple  which  your  fathers  erected  almost  a  century 
ago,  and  which  was  crumbling  to  ruins  through  the 
perishable  nature  of  material  things  and  the  unavoid- 
able waste  of  time.  And  as  the  Lord  said  unto  David^ 
'  Whereas  it  was  in  thine  heart  to  build  an  house  unto 
my  name,  thou  didst  well  that  it  was  in  thine  heart  * 
so  it  may  be  said  of  you,  my  brethren ;  you  did  well 
that  it  was  in  your  hearts  to  rebuild  your  church. 
The  design  was  praiseworthy,  and  well  pleasing  in  the 
sight  of  God.  And  although  David  was  not  permit- 
ted to  execute  his  design,  yet  you  have  been  more  fa- 
vored. And  as  Solomon  his  son  was  blessed  with 
wisdom  from  above,  and  strengthened  to  the  work, 
until  he  saw  the  temple  in  Jerusalem  in  a  finished 
state  of  strength  and  beauty,  and  had  dedicated  it 
unto  the  Lord ;  so  have  you,  my  brethren,  been 
blessed  with  wisdom  to  persevere  in  the  noble  work,, 
and  been  strengthened  by  the  spirit  of  zeal  for  God's 
glory,  and  of  union  in  your  exertions,  until  you  have 
seen  this  new  building  finished  in  all  its  essential  parts,, 
firm  on  its  foundations,  strong  and  durable  in  its. 
structure  and  materials,  and  beautiful  in  its  form  and 
proportions,  and  in  the  simplicity  of  its  most  orna- 
mental workmanship.  And  you  have  beheld  it  con- 
secrated and  set  apart,  in  a  solemn  manner,  for  the 
worship  of  God,  and  separated  from  all  unhallowed, 
worldly  and  common  uses,  in  order  that  our  minds 
might  be  filled  with  greater  reverence  for  His  glorious 
majesty,  and  our  hearts  be  affected  with  more  devo- 
tion and  humility  in  His  service. 


2IO  S^.  George's  Church, 

"My  brethren,  you  have  thus  far  repaired  the 
waste  places  of  our  Zion,  and  in  planning  and  project- 
ing the  work,  have  discovered  such  zeal  for  the 
Church  and  such  harmony  of  feeling  and  conduct,  as 
is  highly  creditable  to  you,  as  men  and  as  Christians. 
But  if  you  would  reap  the  rewards  of  well-doing  in 
the  sight  of  God,  you  must  go  on  and  do  more. 
Rest  not  satisfied  with  having  erected  this  superb 
building,  as  a  monument  of  your  liberality,  your  pride 
and  ambition  ;  or  of  your  concern  for  your  own  ac- 
commodation and  convenience  ;  but  by  your  uniform 
attendance  on  the  public  worship  of  God  within  these 
consecrated  walls,  and  by  your  humble  deportment, 
and  serious  attention  to  the  solemn  services  of  the 
sanctuary,  the  offering  up  of  prayers  and  praises,  and 
the  ministration  and  reception  of  the  word  and  sacra- 
ments, give  evidence  that  you  have  not  been  actua- 
ted by  worldly  motives,  but  by  pious  zeal  for  the 
cause  of  your  Redeemer.  It  will  be  your  bounden 
duty  at  all  times,  to  see  that  nothing  be  wanting  to 
maintain  and  support  the  honor  and  respectability  of 
His  Church  ;  to  impart,  from  time  to  time,  of  the 
worldly  substance  which  God  may  give  you,  what 
may  be  necessary  to  the  decent  and  orderly  services 
of  His  house,  and  the  regular  ministration  of  His 
Word  and  sacraments.  Consider  that,  if  favored  with 
abundance  of  this  world's  goods,  or  even  a  competent 
supply  of  worldly  comforts,  it  is  all  the  gift  of  God. 
And  while  duly  mindful  of  the  curse  pronounced  by 
God  against  the  Jews,  in  the  third  chapter  of  Malachi, 
for  robbing  Him  in  tithes  and  offerings ;  that  is,  for 
neglecting  to  contribute  their  due  proportion  for  re- 
ligious purposes  ; — be  encouraged  to  perseverance  in 
your  united  and  mdividual  exertions  for  the  welfare 
and  respectability  of  the  Church  of  Christ  on  earth,. 
by  a  hope  of  obtaining  for  yourselves  that  blessing 
which  God  promised  to  the  Jews,  if  they   would   do 


Rev.   Seth  Hart.  211 

their  duty :  *  Brin^  ye  all  the  tithes  into  the  store- 
house, and  prove  me  now  herewith,  saith  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  if  I  will  not  open  you  the  windows  of  heaven, 
and  pour  you  out  a  blessing,  that  there  shall  not  be 
room  enough  to  receive  it.'  " 

After  a  very  earnest  and  faithful  admonition 
against  formality  in  worship,  a  craving  after  novel 
modes  of  presenting  the  old  truths  of  the  Gospel,  a 
yielding  to  itching  ears  and  wandering  in  strange 
pastures,  and  the  allowance  of  envy,  malice  and  all 
secret  sins,  as  rendering  forms  of  devotion  really 
offensive  to  God,  and  harmful  to  man,  and  other 
practical  suggestions,  faithful  and  well  put,  Mr.  Hart 
proceeds  : 

**  That  venerable  Church,  which  after  having  stood 
for  eighty-nine  years,  has  at  length  disappeared,  and 
given  place  to  this  new  edifice,  can  surely  not  be 
soon  forgotten.  By  those  of  you  who,  at  her  altar, 
were  dedicated  to  God  in  the  sacramental  rite  of 
baptism  ;  who,  from  her  pulpit  received  the  milk  of 
the  word,  and  were  made  to  grow  thereby  in  Chris- 
tian knowledge,  and  the  stature  of  Christian  holiness ; 
who,  at  her  Holy  Table,  were  fed  with  the  spiritual 
manna,  the  consecrated  emblems  of  the  body  and 
blood  of  our  Redeem.er;  who,  from  your  earhest 
years,  were  accustomed  to  assemble  for  your  de- 
votions within  her  walls,  as  children  of  the  same 
parentage,  embraced  in  the  arms  of  a  dear  Mother, 
and  thus  nurtured  in  her  bosom  ; — to  you,  my  dear 
brethren,  it  must  surely  be  a  subject  of  interesting 
reflection  and  tender  emotions,  that  after  having 
long  beheld  her,  tottering  with  age,  you  have  at 
length  seen  her  decayed  fabric  demolished,  and 
levelled    with   the    ground — a     lively    and    affecting 


212  Sf,  Georges  Church, 

picture  of  human  life  and  human  frailty.  To  some 
of  you  I  can  look  as  to  fathers  and  mothers  in  Is- 
rael ;  to  many  others,  as  to  sisters  and  brothers :  but 
after  almost  twenty-three  years  of  my  ministration  in 
this  place,  and  at  the  age  of  more  than  three-score 
years,  I  can  address  myself  to  much  the  greatest 
portion  of  professing  Christians,  or  those  who  have 
been  Christianized  by  baptism,  in  the  congregation, 
as  ^  dear  children  in  the  Lord.'  My  heart  is  full 
even  to  overflowing ;  and  I  want  but  words  appro- 
priate to  the  subject,  and  to  this  interesting  occasion, 
and  time  and  strength  to  utter  them,  and  I  should 
perhaps  weary  your  patience  by  a  prolonged  attempt 
to  express  the  varied  emotions  which  almost  over- 
whelm my  soul.  But  I  must  close  for  this  time  with 
a  single  observation.  I  have  labored  long  in  this 
part  of  the  Lord's  vineyard  ;  I  have  realized  my  own 
unworthiness,  and  the  imperfection  and  inefficacy  of 
my  ministrations  ;  and  I  have  seen  the  time  when 
my  heart  sunk  within  me,  with  the  fearful  prospect 
that  the  venerable  church  of  your  fathers  would  go 
to  decay,  and  there  would  be  none  to  raise  her  up 
again.  But  I  have  lived  to  see  the  scene  reversed. 
I  have  had  the  consolation  of  seeing  that  it  was  in 
your  hearts,  and  have  been  permitted  to  aid  and 
assist  in  your  united  exertions,  to  repair  the  waste 
places,  and  to  rebuild  the  walls  that  were  decayed 
and  broken  down  ;  and  we  have  been  blessed  of  God 
with  strength  and  perseverance  in  our  pious  labors, 
until  we  now  find  our  work  so  far  completed,  that 
we  may  again  unite  in  celebrating  His  praise,  and 
commemorating  our  Saviour's  love,  within  this 
finished  temple,  and  around  this  sacred  altar:  and 
praised  be  the  God  of  our  salvation." 

.     It  was  a  day  of  just  rejoicing  to   Mr.  Hart.     But 
for  him,  humanly    speaking,  the   church   would   not 


Rev.  Seth  Hart.  213 

have  been  built.  Others  had  counselled  it,  urged  it, 
but  he  acted.  With  inflexible  purpose  and  indomi- 
table perseverance,  he  solicited  the  funds  for  the 
building,  or  as  an  old  friend  of  his  once  said  to  the 
writer,  **  Mr.  Hart  tramped  the  city  day  and  night, 
and  scoured  the  whole  country,  and  beset  every  man 
or  woman  who  professed  to  love  Christ  and  His 
Church — to  give  to  Christ's  cause  for  Christ's  sake." 
The  church  is  his  monument. 

To  the  sermon  from  which  I  have  quoted,  and 
vi^hich  was  printed  by  T.  &  J.  Swords,  No.  99  Pearl 
Street,  New  York,  1823,  there  is  prefixed  "A  Short 
Historical  Sketch  of  the  most  important  events,  rela- 
tive to  the  said  Church  for  a  century  past."  The 
*'  Historical  Sketch  "  is  given  in  a  single  page,  and  of 
course  is  very  restricted  in  its  matter.  It  states  that 
the  new  church  cost  upwards  of  five  ir.ousand  dollars, 
its  length  sixty-four  feet,  and  breadth  forty-two,  with 
a  vestry-room  in  the  rear,  and  a  steeple  in  front,  rest- 
ing partly  on  the  body  of  the  building,  with  a  cupola 
and  bell,  and  a  gallery  in  front  and  on  the  two  sides. 
**  Neither  in  the  planning  nor  executing  have  the 
workmen  confined  themselves  to  any  particular  order 
of  architecture.  Being  all  natives  of  the  town,  their 
object  has  been  only  to  make  it  substantial,  conveni- 
ent, and  elegant,  without  unnecessary  expense  or  su- 
perfluous ornament."  It  gives  the  succession  of 
ministers  as  has  been  stated  in  these  pages ;  notes  the 
fact  that  St.  George's  Parish  embraced  originally  the 
town  and  Parish  of  Hempstead,  "then  extending 
across  the  island;  "  that  in  1784  or  5  the  town  v.as 
divided  into  Hempstead  and  North   Hempstead,  the 


214  ^i'  Georges  Church. 

Parish  of  St.  George's  Church  still  embracing  all  the 
Episcopalians  in  both  towns,  etc.  It  states  that  "  the 
oldest  register  of  the  Parish  of  Hempstead,  kept  in  the 
church,  begins  in  the  year  1725,  when  the  Rev. 
'*  Thomas  "  Jenney  was  missionary,"  etc.  "  But 
tradition,"  says  Mr.  Hart,  ''  informs  us  that  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Thomas  had  previously  been  a  missionary  to  the 
same  parish."  So  quickly  had  the  facts  of  Mr. 
Thomas'  twenty  years  of  effective  work  in  foundation 
laying,  faded  from  men's  memory  !  So  little,  in  Mr. 
Hart's  day,  had  been  done  to  gather  and  present  even 
the  little  information  we  have  been  able  to  glean  and 
present  in  these  pages  concerning  that  godly  man,  to 
whose-memory  and  labors  all  his  successors  w4io  are 
building  on  his  foundation,  owe  gratitude  and  thank- 
ful mention. 

In  1823,  by  an  exchange  of  land  with  Mr.  David 
Bedell,  the  Vestry  added  a  strip  of  land  to  the  church- 
yard, north  of  the  front  line  of  the  church,  which  wa^ 
laid  out  into  burial  lots  which  were  sold  some  at  $5, 
some  at  $6,  others  at  $8  a  lot.* 

In  May,  1825,  the  Vestry  abolished  the  renting  of 
the  pews,  and  determined  that  for  the  ensuing  year 
they  should  remain  free  to  all  the  congregation  to 
occupy  as  may  be  convenient. f  The  experiment 
was  found  after  a  few^  years'  trial  not  to  work  favora- 
bly, and  under  the  Rectorship  of  the  Rev.  R.  D. 
Hall,  was  abandoned. 

The  same  year  leave  was  given  to  William  Rhodes 
to  build  a  house  22  by  18  on  the  Parsonage  South,  to 
■be  occupied  by  him  so  long  as  he  rented   that  land, 

*  Records,  p.  217.  f  Records,  p.  2ig. 


Rev,    Seth  Hart.  215 

and  to  be  taken  by  the  Vestry  at  its  appraised  value^ 
less  $43  which  he  owed  the  Vestry,  when  he  ceased 
to  occupy  the  farm. 

To  Thomas  Weeks  was  sold  this  year,  so  much  of 
the  Greenfield  Parsonage  lot  as  should  be  necessary 
to  straighten  the  road  from  said  Weeks'  house  to  the 
eastern  bounds  of  said  parsonage  land.  The  Vestry 
also  '  Ordered,'  that  *'  window  blind  shutters  be 
placed  on  all  the  windows  on  the  west  side  of  the 
church." 

December  19,  1825,  the  Vestry  being  informed 
that  the  Vestry  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  would 
take  as  a  loan  the  avails  of  the  Parsonage  South,  if 
sold,  it  was  by  them 

"  Resolved,  That  the  said  South  Parsonage  be 
offered  for  sale,  and  be  sold,  if  a  satisfactory  price  caa 
be  obtained  for  it." 

Messrs.  Richard  Hewlett,  Thos.  W.  Weeks,  and 
D.  R.  F.  Jones,  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
advertise  the  property  for  sale  at  pubHc  auction  on 
the  1st  day  of  February,  1826,  and  to  superintend  the 
sale. 

''February  i,  1826. — The  Parsonage  being  put  up 
for  sale  at  auction,  and  no  person  bidding  more  than 
$2,150,  the  sale  was  stopped." 

''March  28,  1826. — The  Vestry  met  and  com- 
pleted the  sale  of  the  parsonage  "^  at  South  to  Mr. 
James  Pettit,  by  executing  a  deed  to  him  for  the 
same,  and  receiving  from  him  therefor  two  thousand 
two  hundred  and  thirty-five  dollars,  cash  in  hand. 
Two  hundred  and  fifteen  dollars  of  which  was  paid  to 

*  A  part  had  been  sold  already.     See  page  173. 


2i6  S^  George's  Church, 

Mr.  Wm.  Rhodes,  for  his  house,  which  he  had  built 
on  said  parsonage,  leaving  $2020  to  be  loaned  to 
Trinity  Church,  New  York." 

This  sum  of  $2020,  together  with  a  gift  of  $1000 
from  Mr.  John  Lefferts,  were  loaned  to  Trinity  Church 
on  a  bond  for  forty  years,  at  five  per  cent  per  annum,^ 
interest  payable  semi-annually. 

The  time  would  have  expired  in  1866.  Frequent 
requests  were  made  to  Trinity  Church  to  repay  the 
amount  before  the  term  expired,  but  were  not  suc- 
cessful until  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the 
rebellion  in  1861,  when  it  was  considered  a  loyal  duty 
for  every  one  to  assist  the  Government  by  purchasing 
its  bonds.  Under  these  circumstances  the  request  was 
renewed  and  granted,  and  the  amount  invested  in 
United  States  Bonds. 

In  connection  with  the  loan  and  the  benefaction  of 
Mr.  Lefferts,  the  Vestry,"^  on  the  14th  October,  1826^ 
adopted  a  preamble  and  resolutions  stating  that 
whereas  the  sum  loaned  to  Trinity  Church  was  de- 
rived from  the  sale  of  the  parsonage  south,  and  a 
gift  from  Mr.  Lefferts,  for  the  special  purpose  of  aiding 
in  the  support  of  a  minister  or  ministers  in  this  Church, 
the  sum  thus  loaned  '*'  be  and  remain  a  fund,  the 
avails  of  which  shall,  at  all  times,  be  appropriated 
only  to  the  support  of  such  duly  authorized  minister 
or  ministers,  Episcopally  ordained,  as  shall,  from 
time  to  time,  be  employed  to  minister  in  this  church 
and  congregation." 

"  And  whereas  Mr.   John  Lefferts,  with  commen 
dable  and  evidently  pious  zeal  for  God's  glory  and 

*  Records  p.  223. 


Rev.  Seth  Hart  217 

theprosperity  of  His  Church,  hath  made  a  donation  ot 
one  thousand  dollars  to  the  corporation  of  St.  George's 
Church,  Hempstead,  for  the  special  purpose  of  aiding, 
from  time  to  time  and  forever,  in  the  support  of  a 
minister  or  ministers  in  this  church,  &c.  Now  there- 
fore, resolved,  that  this  Vestry  do  with  heartfelt 
gratitude  and  joy,  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  said 
one  thousand  dollars  from  Mr.  Lefferts,  and  for  them- 
selves and  in  behalf  of  the  church  and  congregation^ 
tender  him  their  sincere  thanks  for  his  liberal  eift,  and 
their  best  wishes  and  earnest  prayers  for  his  prolonged 
life  and  health  and  comforts,  in  this  world,  and  his 
eternal  well-being  in  the  world  to  come." 

Two  years  after  this,  viz.,  in  May,  1828,  the  Vestry 
had  the  privilege  of  acknowledging  a  further  addition 
to  its  fund  for  the  support  of  its  Rector,  from  Mrs. 
Abigail  Smyth,  a  sister  of  Mr.  Lefferts  ;  and  they 
adopted  the  following  minute  respecting  it : 

''Whereas  Mrs.  Abigail  Smyth,  lately  deceased, 
did  by  her  last  will  and  testament,  give  and  bequeath 
to  the  Corporation  of  this  Church,  One  thousand 
dollars,  to  be  funded  for  the  use  and  maintenance  of 
the  Rector  for  the  time  being,  of  this  church  forever, 
and  applied  to  no  other  purpose  whatever — with  this 
proviso,  that  the  interest  or  income  of  dividends  of 
the  said  sum  of  One  thousand  dollars,  should  be  paid 
to  our  present  Rector,  the  Rev.  Seth  Hart,  and  his 
present  wife,  Ruth  Hart,  during  their  joint  lives  and 
the  Hfe  of  the  survivor  of  them,  to  their  own  use  ; 
and  after  their  death  and  the  death  of  the  longest 
liver  of  them,  that  then  the  said  interest  or  dividends 
should  forever  thereafter  be  paid  towards  the  support 
and  maintenance  of  the  Rector  for  the  time  being  of 
this  Church. — And  whereas  the  said  legacy  of  One 
thousand  dollars  has  been  paid  to  us  by  Mr.  John 
10 


2i8  S^  George's  Church. 

Lefiferts,  one  of  the  Executors  of  the  said  Mrs. 
Smyth's  will,  and  has  been  loaned  to  the  Corporation 
of  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  as  a  permanent  fund 
for  the  use  and  purpose  above  mentioned,  for  which 
we  hold  their  bond,  dated  the  first  of  May  instant^ 
now  in  the  hands  of  our  Rector,  and  payable  the 
first  of  May,  1866,  with  interest  half  yearly  at  five 
per  cent,  per  annum  : — Now  therefore,  we  do  hereby 
discharge  the  said  John  Lefferts,  and  the  other  ex- 
ecutors of  said  will,  from  all  claims  on  them  for  the 
said  legacy ;  and  with  grateful  hearts  acknowledge 
our  obligations,  in  behalf  of  the  church,  to  the  benev- 
olent and  pious  giver : — And  resolve  that  the  said 
One  thousand  dollars,  with  its  interests  and  divi- 
dends shall  forever  be  applied  to  the  use  and  pur- 
poses for  which  it  was  given  and  bequeathed." 

The  Rector  stated*  to  the  Vestry  at  this  meeting 
that  he  had  lately  appropriated  $150  of  the  Com- 
munion fund  to  the  purchase  of  five  shares  of  the 
Hempstead  Turnpike  stock,  in  addition  to  fifteen 
shares  of  the  said  stock  owned  before  :  whereupon 
the  Vestry  resolved  that  the  said  stock  shall  always 
be  kept  sacred  for  charitable  and  pious  uses,  as  a 
fund,  whose  interests  and  dividends  shall  always  be 
so  appropriated,  and  applied,  and  to  no  other  uses  or 
purposes. 

Thus  within  the  space  of  three  years  the  j)arish 
received  lasting  testimonials  from  two  of  her  children, 
expressive  of  their  love  for  her,  and  desire  to  perpet- 
uate the  offices  of  the  Church  among  sinful  men  for 
their  eternal  benefit  and  to  the  glory  of  God. 

Mr.    Lefferts   for   many    years   held  the  office   of 

*  Records,  p.  228. 


Rev.    Seth  Hart  219 

Treasurer  of  the  parish ;  was  a  delegate  to  the 
Diocesan  Convention  many  times,  and  was  an  active, 
zealous  Churchman,  and  a  citizen  of  much  influence. 
His  sister  partook  of  many  of  his  excellent  traits. 
Their  names  are  worthy  to  be  had  in  remembrance 
before  God.  By  their  pious  deeds,  though  being 
dead,  they  yet  speak ;  their  memorial  is  NOT 
perished  with  them.  Their  benefactions,  while 
nought  impoverishing  themselves,  are  destined  to 
benefit  all  the  generations  to  come  after  them,  as  they 
have  already  accomplished  immeasurable  good. 

To  the  names  of  Lefferts  and  Smyth  there  have 
since  been  added  to  the  honored  roll  of  benefactors 
of  the  parish  those  of  Mrs.  Abigail  Clowes ;  the 
Misses  Sarah  and  EHzabeth  Wooley  ;  Samuel  Hew- 
lett ;  Mrs.  Sarah  Ann  Berrian,  and  Abraham  and 
Samuel  Wood.  Their  gifts,  although  none  of  them 
of  large  amounts,  will  preserve  their  names  better 
than  any  monumental  marble. 

Mr.  Hart  had  a  stroke  of  paralysis  about  the  be- 
ginning of  the  year  1829.  Finding  himself  unable 
to  perform  the  duties  of  his  office,  and  unwilling  to 
retain  a  position  whose  obligations  he  could  not  ade- 
quately discharge,  Mr.  Hart  suggested  to  the  Ves- 
try that  he  thought  it  to  be  his  duty  to  resign  the 
rectorship.  The  Vestry  thereupon  adopted  the  fol- 
lowing action : 

"  Whereas,  it  has  pleased  the  Almighty  Disposer 
of  events  to  visit  our  beloved  pastor  with  severe  bod- 
ily infirmities,  insomuch  as  to  render  him  incapable  of 
performing  the  active  duties  of  his  parish  :  and 

"  Whereas,  it  is  his  wish  to  resign  his  charge,  with 


220 


S^.  Georges  Church, 


such  provision  as  may  be  necessary  toward  his  sup- 
port during  the  remaining  years  of  his  hfe  :  therefore, 
Resolved^  That  should  the  Rector  of  this  Parish  see 
fit,  on  or  before  the  next  Whitsun-Tuesday,  to  tender 
to  this  Vestry  the  resignation  of  his  office  ;  then  and 
in  that  case  he,  the  said  Rector,  shaU  be  entitled  to 
receive  the  interest  due  from  Trinity  Cliurch,  New 
York,  on  tlieir  bond  for  $3020,  and  payable  on  the 
first  day  of  May  next. 

**  And  moreover,  we  pledge  ourselves  to  use  our 
best  endeavors  to  collect  all  moneys  due  on  the  usual 
annual  subscriptions,  for  salary  up  to  said  Whitsun- 
Tuesday  next,  amounting  last  year  to  about  $275, 
and  pay  over  the  sum  so  collected  to  him  the  said 
Rector. 

"  Also,  we  do  in  our  corporate  capacity,  promise  to 
pay  to  him,  the  said  Rector,  forty  dollars  half  yearly 
from  and  after  the  first  day  of  May  next ;  that  is  to 
say,  forty  dollars  on  the  first  day  of  November,  1829, 
and  forty  dollars  on  the  first  day  of  May,  1830  ;  and 
the  said  sum  of  forty  dollars  on  every  first  day  of 
November  and  May  thereafter  following,  during  his 
natural  life. 

James  Gildersleeve, 

Richard  Hewlett, 

Richard  Pine, 

John  J.  Hewlett, 

William  Rhodes, 

Samuel  Valentine, 

Edward  A.  Clowes, 

T.  W.  Wrecks, 


Signed, 


Wardens, 


^  Vestrymen. 


"Done  in  full  Vestry,  Feb.  i6th,  1829,  and  record- 
ed. John  Lefferts,  Secy'' 

*'  The  Rector  then  presented  to  the  Vestry  the  fol- 
lowing letter  of  resignation,  which  was  received  and 
accepted  : 


Rev.   Seth  Hart.  221 

'*  To  the  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  St.  George's 
Church,  Hempstead : 

"  Gentlemen :  It  having  pleased  the  Almighty  Dis- 
poser of  human  events,  in  his  all-wise  Providence,  to 
visit  me  with  severe  bodily  infirmity ;  and  feeling  my 
inability  any  longer  to  discharge  the  various  duties 
of  my  station  in  a  manner  conducive  to  the  good  of 
the  Church  and  to  the  interests  of  the  Redeemer's 
Kingdom,  I  am  constrained  to  resign  into  your  hands 
the  office  which  for  the  last  twenty-eight  years  I 
have  held  among  you.  In  doing  this,  allow  me  to> 
express  to  you  my  thanks  for  the  kind  attention  and 
assistance  that  I  have  heretofore  received  from  you  ; 
and  to  add  my  sincere  prayers  for  your  temporal  and 
spiritual  welfare,  and  for  the  future  prosperity  of  our 
Zion.  In  taking  leave  of  you  and  of  my  people  gen- 
erally, I  tender  to  you  my  paternal  blessing.  May 
the  God  and  Father  of  us  all,  have  you  in  His  holy 
keeping,  and  grant  you  the  aid  of  his  unerring  coun- 
sel in  the  choice  of  a  successor  ;  and  may  he  prove  a 
successful  instrument  in  the  hands  of  God,  in  turning 
many  to  righteousness,  and  of  widely  spreading 
abroad  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  With  sentiments 
of  respect  and  with  feelings  of  true  Christian  love, 
'*  I  remain,  your  brother  in  Christ, 

'*  Setii  Hart, 
^^  Rector  of  St,  George's  CJuirclL,  Hempstead!' 

With  this  action  the  Rev.  Seth  Hart's  long 
connection  with  St.  George's  Parish  as  its  rector 
ended.  He  lingered  on  feebly  for  three  years  after 
his  resignation,  but  died  March  14,  1832,  in  the  70th 
year  of  his  age.  The  service  at  his  funeral  was  per- 
formed by  the  new  Rector,  the  Rev.  Richard  D. 
Hall,  and  a  commemorative  sermon  was  preached  by 

Mr.  Hart's  old  friend,  the  Rev.  Evan  Malbone  Johnson, 
10* 


22  2  Sf.  George's  Church, 

Rector  of  St.  John's  Church,  Brooklyn.  The  remains 
were  laid  in  the  churchyard,  near  where  the  chancel 
of  the  old  church  formerly  stood. 

Mrs.  Ruth  Hart,  who  had  been  a  faithful  and  excel- 
lent companion  and  counsellor  to  her  husband,  sur- 
vived him  nine  years,  dying  in  November,  1841,  and 
was  laid  in  the  earth  by  his  side. 

One  of  Air.  Hart's  children  was  the  Rev.  Wm. 
Henry  Hart,  who  was  born  in  1794;  graduated  at 
Columbia  College,  New  York,  181 1  ;  ordained  Dea- 
con by  Bishop  Hobart,  in  18 14,  and  Priest  by  Bishop 
White.  He  became  Rector  of  Christ  Church,  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  from  181 5  to  1828.  Was  for  a  while 
minister  at  Fishkill,  and  twice  Rector  of  St.  Andrew's, 
Walden,  Orange  Co.,  until  185 1.  He  died  of  para- 
lysis, as  his  father  had  done,  July  28,  1852,  aged  62 
years. 

Besides  the  sermon  of  the  Rev.  Seth  Hart,  which 
he  preached  the  Sunday  after  the  consecration  of  the 
new  church,  he  also  published  "  A  Sermon  to  Free^ 
masons,"  delivered  in  St.  George's  Church,  Hemp- 
stead, in  1 801. 

A  building  in  the  rear  of  the  parsonage,  which 
had  been  built  by  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury,  and  used  for  a 
school,  was  sold  and  removed  in  the  closing  year  of 
Mr.  Hart's  life — a  part  of  it  being  removed  to  a  plot 
now  occupied  by  Liberty  Hall,  opposite  the  church,, 
and  used  for  a  Methodist  meeting.  Another  portion 
of  it  was  removed  to  Greenwich  Street,  on  land  of 
Mr.  Henry  Eckford. 

The  first  parochial  report  by  Mr.  Hart,  in  October, 
1805,  gave  these  statistics  : 


Rev.  Seth  HarL  223 

Baptisms 49 

Marriages 25 

Burials il 

Communicants lOO 

His  last  report,  made  Oct.  16,  1828,  gave : 

Baptisms lO 

Marriages 9 

Burials 23 

Communicants I IQ 


CHAPTER    VII. 

1829 — 1849. 

THE  Rev.  Seth  Hart  resigned  St.  George's 
parish,  February  16,  1829.  The  resignation 
having  been  determined  upon  by  him  and  announced 
some  time  before*  the  final  arrangements  were  made, 
the  Vestry  had  anticipated  the  vacancy,  and  on  the 
same  day  gave  the  following  "  call  "  to  the  Rev^ 
Richard  D.  Hall,  of  Pennsylvania. 

"  Call  of  the  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  St. 
George's  Church,  Hempstead,  Long  Island,  to  the 
Rev.  Richard  D.  Hall : 

"  To  all  whom  it  may  concern  : 

''  Whereas  the  Rev.  Seth  Hart  having  resigned  the 
rectorship  of  St.  George's  Church,  Hempstead, 
through  his  incapacity  to  perform  any  longer  the 
duties  of  the  same,  from  bodily  infirmity,  We  the 
undersigned,  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  the  afore- 
said parish,  do  hereby  call  the  Rev.  Richard  Drason. 
Hall  to  be  his  successor,  and  the  Rector  of  the  said 
parish,  he  having  been  unanimously  elected  and  ap- 
proved of  by  said  congregation  at  a  meeting  called 
on  Thursday,  the  12th  of  February;  and  also  oa 
Monday  the  i6th  instant,  1829;  and  that  he  be  the 
Rector  of  said  parish  as  long  as  the  parties,  i.  e.,  the 
congregation    and  Vestry  and    Rector  shall   agree; 


Rev.  Richard  D.  Hall.  225 

and  that  when  a  dissolution  of  the  connection  shall 
be  requested,  due  notice  of  the  same  shall  be  given, 
not  less  than  six  months  beforehand.  Farther,  it  is 
hereby  declared  that  the  salary,  be  it  more  or  less, 
shall  commence  to  be  due  from  the  first  day  of  May 
next  ensuing,  and  shall  be  paid  in  half  yearly  pay- 
ments. We  also  promise  to  the  said  Rector  the  use 
of  the  parsonage  house,  the  lot  of  ground  adjoining 
thereunto,  and  also  the  tract  of  land  lying  and  being 
situated  near  the  village  of  Hempstead,  commonly 
called  *  Greenfield.' 

In  testimony  whereof  we,  the  Wardens  and 
Vestrymen,  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  aforesaid 
Church,  have  hereunto  set  our  names,  this  1 6th  day 
of  February,  Anno  Domini,  1829. 


James  Gildersleeve,  )  ...     ■, 
Richard  Hewlett,      f  Wardens. 

Richard  Pine, 
Samuel  Valentine, 
William  Rhodes, 
T.  W.  Weeks, 


Vestrymen. 


Mr.  Hall  being  in  Hempstead  at  the  time,  signified 
his  acceptance  of  the  call. 

Mr.  Hah  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  in  1789;  stud- 
ied theology  under  Dr.  Joseph  Pilmore,  Rector  of  St. 
Paul's  Church,  Philadelphia ;  and  was  ordained 
Deacon  Oct.  9,  1812,  by  Bishop  White.  His  first 
patish  was  at  St.  James,  Bristol,  Pa.  In  1820  he  was 
E-ector  of  Trinity  Church,  Wilmington,  Delaware, 
and  a  deputy  to  the  General  Convention  from  that 
diocese.  He  was  in  1826  Rector  of  St.  John's 
Church,  York,  Pa.,  and  from  thence  to  Hempstead. 

In  the  call  given  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hall,  two  novel 
features    were    introduced,    which     demand    remark. 


226  S^.  Georges  Church, 

One  is  that  there  was  no  stipulation  made  in  it  for  a 
salary.  The  matter  is  mentioned  in  this  indefinite 
language : 

'*  It  is  hereby  declared  that  the  salary,  be  it  more 
-or  less,  shall  be  paid  in  half  yearly  payments." 

This  indefiniteness  of  stipulation  as  to  salary 
afforded  but  an  uncertain  basis  for  a  minister  to 
arrange  to  live  upon,  and  in  a  very  short  time  caused 
serious  embarrassment  to  the  Rector. 

Another  noteworthy  feature  connected  with  the 
call  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hall  is,  that  the  election  is  de- 
scribed as  having  been  made  by  "  the  congregation 
at  a  meeting  called  on  Thursday,  the  I2th  of  Feb- 
ruary, and  also  on  Monday,  the  i6th."  And  the 
Vestry  appear  to  have  acted  only  as  indorsers  of 
their  action. 

We  have  seen  that  a  similar  mode  of  proceeding 
took  place  when  the  Rev.  Thomas  Lambert  Moore 
was  called ;  and  we  have  but  to  repeat  what  was 
said  in  connection  with  that  instance,  that  the  pro- 
ceeding was  not  in  accord  with  the  requisitions  of  the 
Charter,  which  gives  to  the  Church  Wardens  and 
Vestrymen  alone  the  authority  to  elect  a  Rector. 
Besides  being  irregular,  the  results  of  such  a  depart- 
ure from  the  organic  law  of  the  parish,  have  not  been 
favorable.  If  such  departure  was  resorted  to,  in  the 
hope  that  thereby  a  greater  degree  of  unanimity 
between  pastor  and  people  would  be  secured,  that 
expectation  was  not  realized,  neither  were  distrac- 
tions prevented.  It  is  hardly  likely  that  any  future 
Vestry  will  violate   its  duty  in   this  matter,  and   re- 


Rev,  Richard  D,  Hall.  227 

sort  to  a  measure  which  conflicts  with  the  terms  of 
that  instrument  which  is  the  source  of  their  authority. 

Mr.  Hall  was  instituted  Rector  on  Saturday,  the 
8th  of  August,  1829.  Bishop  Hobart  being  indis- 
posed, deputed  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Hart — son  of  the 
former  Rector,  and  who  at  that  time  was  an  instructor 
in  Trinity  School,  New  York  city — as  institutor. 
Morning  service  was  conducted  by  the  Rev.  James 
P.  F.  Clark,  of  Christ  Church,  Manhasset ;  and  the 
Rev.  Peter  Van  Pelt — half  brother  of  Mr.  Hall  and 
minister  of  St.  Thomas'  Church,  Philadelphia, 
preached  the  sermon  from  St.  John  18:  36 — "My 
Kingdom  is  not  of  this  world."  The  Rev.  Seth 
Hart,  former  Rector,  and  the  Rev.  Gilbert  H.  Sayre, 
Rector  of  Grace  Church,  Jamaica,  being  also  present. 
The  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was  administered 
by  the  instituted  minister."^ 

In  order  to  obtain  the  salary  which  was  to  be 
"■  more  or  less,"  collectors  were  appointed  "  to 
solicit  subscriptions  for  the  support  of  the  Rector," 
and  the  several  parts  of  the  parish  were  distributed 
thus : 

For  MerKJck,  Stephen  Hewlett, 

"  South,  Samuel  (L.)  Seaman, 

"  Near  Rockaway,         Abraham  Wood, 

"  Far  Rockaway,  Thomas  Hewlett, 

**  Foster's  Meadow,       George  Vannostrand,  Esq., 

"  West  of  Hempstead,   Jacob  Stringham, 

**  Villageof  Hempstead  John  Clowes, 

''  North  Side,  Samuel  Valentine. 

This  resort  having  produced  but  about  $400  per 

*  Records,  p.  241. 


228  Sf.  George  s  Church. 

annum  for  the  support  of  the  Rector,  it  was  felt  that 
the  plan  of  free  pews  was  not  working  as  successfully 
as  had  been  hoped,  and  that  in  order  to  retain  the 
services  of  a  clergyman  and  continue  to  enjoy  the 
privileges  of  the  Church's  services,  it  was  imperative 
that  some  more  effective  plan  should  be  adopted  ;  and 
without  opposition  it  was  determined,  in  March,  183 1,, 
that  from  and  after  April  i,  the  pews  should  be 
rented."^ 

A  temporary  excitement  in  the  comraunity  was 
caused  at  this  time  in  connection  with  a  request  that 
the  usual  Fourth  of  July  celebration  should  be  held 
in  St  George's  Church.  The  ceremonies  were  cus- 
tomarily of  a  secular  rather  than  a  religious  character,, 
and  sometimes,  with  features  which  the  Rector  did 
not  deem  compatible  with  a  consecrated  place.  But 
the  idea  of  any  place  being  consecrated  was  foreign 
to  the  views  of  many  persons  in  the  community,  whO' 
deemed  all  places  alike  common. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Hall  did  not  refuse  to  open  the 
church,  but  he  embraced  the  favorable  opportunity 
to  assert  more  correct  and  scriptural  views.  He  offered 
the  use  of  the  church  for  the  delivery  of  the  oration 
and  the  singing  of  national  anthems,  if  the  exercises 
were  preceded  by  the  religious  service  befitting  the 
sacred  place.  He  felt  conscientiously  bound  to  give 
prominence  to  the  fact  that  the  church  was  the  house 
of  God,  and  distinguished  from  an  ordinaiy  place  of 
assemblage,  both  from  the  terms  of  the  rite  of  consecra- 
tion which  had  been  used  when  the  building  was 

*  Records  p.  247. 


Rev,  Richai^d  D.  Hall,  229- 

devoted  to  God,  and  by  the  following  resolution  of 
the  Convention  of  the  Diocese  of  New  York,  of  which 
he  was  a  member,  and  by  whose  action  he  was  bound, 
and  which  was  passed  in  1808. 

"  Resolved^  That  the  office  of  Consecration  of 
Churches  and  Chapels  implies,  that  the  buildings  set 
apart  for  the  service  of  Almighty  God,  are  appro- 
priated solely  to  Divine  Service,  and  therefore,  they 
shall  not  be  used  for  any  secular  purposes  whatso- 
ever." "^ 

But  in  vain  did  Mr.  Hall  attempt  to  justify  him- 
self by  an  appeal  to  the  laws  of  the  Church.  In  the 
view  of  the  "  Committee  of  Arrangements,"  it  rather 
served  to  excite  their  disfavor  to  his  proposition. 
Several  persons  of  prominence  in  the  community, 
whose  prejudices  through  their  education  and  associ- 
ations outweighed  all  the  liberalizing  and  rectifying 
influences  of  their  intellectual  acquisitions,  were 
pleased  to  regard  the  suggestion  of  a  reHgious  service 
as  equivalent  to  a  refusal  of  the  use  of  the  church,, 
and  to  attribute  that  refusal  to  an  evil  cause.  The 
opportunity  was  too  good  to  be  lost  to  cast  an  impu- 
tation upon  the  loyalty  of  Episcopalians  towards  re- 
publican principles.  And  the  opportunity  was  im- 
proved. A  great  clamor  arose,  and  Churchmen — 
who  alone  of  all  those  in  the  land  who  called  them- 
selves Christians,  never  had  a  Sunday  service 
without  prayer  for  President  and  Congress  and  all  in 


*  Hoffman's  Ecclesiastical  Laws,  &c.,  p.  '^'^^  declares  all  use  of 
churches  but  for  "  Strictly  prescribed  church  purposes,"  is  clearly  for- 
bidden. 


230  S^  Geo7^ges  Church, 

authority — found  themselves  suddenly  called  upon  to 
defend  themselves  from  the  charge  of  disloyalty. 

To  us  now  all  this  seems  very  ridiculous.  But  it 
was  a  serious  thing  then.  And  it  was  by  no  means 
an  uncommon  imputation.  Often  aforetime  was  it 
found  necessary  to  silence  this  aspersion  by  showing 
that  this  same  Church  was  the  spiritual  and  much 
loved  mother  of  Washington,  and  Jay,  and  Marshall, 
and  other  noble  patriots — that  the  first  Chaplain  of 
Congress  and  the  bosom  friend  of  Washington — 
William  White — was  also  a  Bishop  in  the  Church. 

The  Rector  of  St.  George's  was  a  man  of  stout  heart 
and  conscious  of  right.  But  it  seemed  for  a  little  time 
that  he  would  be  overwhelmed  by  the  tempest  that 
was  stirred  up  round  about  him.  But  it  spent  its  fury. 
His  course  was  vindicated,  and  the  Church  had  new 
evidence  that  her  Divine  founder's  promise  is  still  ef- 
fective, that  evil  powers  shall  not  prevail  against  her. 

The  Committee  sought  another  place  for  the  cele- 
bration, and  the  oration  was  duly  delivered  by  Ed- 
win Webb,  M.  D. — ^in  after  years  a  Warden  of  the 
church  which  had  been  so  maligned.  The  Declara- 
tion of  Independence  was  read  by  Timothy  Clowes, 
LL.D. 

The  writer  remembers  that  a  like  experience  to 
Mr.  Hall's  was  shared  on  similar  occasions  and  from 
the  same  cause  by  the  clergy  of  the  Church  in  other 
parts  of  the  country,  with  similar  temporary  offence 
to  those  persons  who  revealed  their  unfriendliness  to 
the  Church,  or  who  could  not  comprehend  the  scruples 
of  Churchmen,  nor  understand  how  a  place  or  person 
or  thing,  once  devoted  to  God,  was  hallowed. 


Rev.  Richard  D.  Hall.  231 

For  the  first  and  only  time  in  the  history  of  the 
parish,  we  find  it  recorded  that  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  corporation  on  Whitsun-Tuesday,  May  24,  1831, 
was  **  postponed"  to  the  following  week,  because  "  of 
there  not  being  a  sufficient  number  present  for  busi- 
ness." No  such  postponement  had  taken  place  even 
in  the  turbulent  and  distracting  condition  of  things 
hereabout  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  And  it  is  a 
question  whether  such  postponement  was  legal ;  the 
charter  expressly  requiring  that  "  yearly,  once  in  the 
year  forever  hereafter,  that  is  to  say,  on  Tuesday,  in 
Whitsun-week,  in  every  year,  at  the  said  church,  the 
communicants  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  or 
the  major  part  of  them  present,  shall  elect,  choose,  and 
appoint  two  of  the  communicants  of  the  said  church 
to  be  Church-Wardens,"  &c. 

There  is  thus  no  provision  for  a  postponed  elec- 
tion :  no  requisition  as  to  numbers,  and  no  restric- 
tion other  than  that  they  must  be  communicants, 
and  that  the  major  part  of  them  present  shall 
elect,  &c.  It  would  have  imperilled  the  exist- 
ence of  the  corporation  if  it  had  been  required  that  a 
majority  of  all  the  communicants  of  the  parish,  or  any 
specified  portion  of  them,  should  be  necessary  for  a 
legal  election.  For  then  it  would  have  been  in  the 
power  of  a  faction,  by  voluntarily  absenting  them- 
selves, to  prevent  an  election.  But  now — the  day 
being  known — and  it  being  the  privilege  of  all  enti- 
tled to  vote  to  be  present  if  they  will,  it  is  to  be  con- 
cluded that  those  who  do  not  attend,  voluntarily  waive 
their  right,  and  so  indicate  their  consent  to  be  bound 
by  the  action  of  those  who  do  attend,  and  who  mav 


232  S^.  Georges  Church, 

proceed  with  the  duty  enjoined  by  the  charter.  Hoff- 
man* states  that  while  in  the  EngHsh  Church  the 
Rector  may  adjourn  the  poll  if  he  see  fit,  "  Under  our 
law  fixing  a  day  for  an  election,  there  can  be  no  ad- 
journment to  any  other  day.  It  may  be  from  one 
hour  to  another  on  the  same  day." 

In  1828,  under  Mr.  Hall's  administration,  a  Sun- 
day School  was  organized  in  the  parish,  the  first  in 
the  town  of  Hempstead;  and  an  institution  which 
was  something  of  a  novelty  in  this  country. 

In  1833,  the  salary  of  the  sexton  was  $30.t  Mr. 
Hall  being  of  an  ardent  temperament,  exerted  himself 
with  unflagging  zeal  to  awaken  among  his  people 
greater  interest  in  religious  things,  and  to  bring  all  to 
embrace  Christ  with  a  faith  fruitful  in  good  works. 
To  this  end — besides  the  usual  services  in  church  on 
Sundays  and  holy-days — he  held  frequent  services  in 
all  parts  of  his  parish.  Almost  literally  "  from  house 
to  house,  he  ceased  not  to  warn  every  one  night  and 
day.":j:  He  had  also  meetings  protracted  from  day  to 
day,  calling  to  his  aid  the  Rev.  Dr.  Milner,  Rev.  Mr. 
— afterwards  Bishop  Mcllvaine,  and  other  prominent 
clergymen,  that  the  services  might  be  more  attractive 
and  effective. 

The  result  of  all  these  efforts  was  disappointing  to 
the  ardent  expectations  of  the  Rector.  He  thought 
the  people  did  not  sufificiently  respond  to  them, 
and  he  felt  that  he  was  not  the  one  who  could  do 
them  the  most  good.  This  feeling — together  with  a 
growing  repugnance  to  the  necessity  he  was  under  of 

*  Eccles.  Laws  of  New  York,  p.  22. 

f  Records,  p.  258.  \  Acts  20  :  31. 


Rev.  Richai^d  D.  Hall. 


233 


making  personal  efforts  in  order  to  get  a  portion  of 
his  salary — which  prevented  his  devoting  his  whole 
attention  to  his  spiritual  duties — determined  him  to 
offer  the  following  letter  of  resignation : 

"  Hempstead,  April  1 1,  1834. 
"  To  the  Vestry  of  St.  George's  Church  : 

"  Dear  BretJiren — I  hereby  tender  to  you  my 
resignation  of  this  parish,  and  according  to  the  altera- 
tion of  the  agreement  entered  into  at  my  coming- 
among  you,  notify  you  that  the  connection  will  cease 
between  myself  and  the  congregation  as  your  Pas- 
tor, after  three  months  from  the  above  date. 

*'  Being  under  the  impression  that  I  am  acting  in 
the  line  of  duty,  with  an  eye  single  to  the  glory  of 
God,  and  the  hope  of  greater  usefulness  elsewhere,, 
having  labored  much  in  this  parish  for  five  years  past 
without  correspondent  fruitfulness,  I  trust  you  will 
yield  assent  to  my  views  of  the  contemplated  sepa- 
ration. 

''  The  manner  of  conducting  the  temporal  affairs- 
of  the  parish  is,  I  think,  rather  too  loose  and  indefi- 
nite, which  I  fear  will  be  a  serious  hindrance  in  the 
way  of  my  successor.  A  minister  should  have  as 
little  as  possible  to  do  with,  at  least,  some  part  of  the 
temporalities  of  a  parish,  that  he  may  devote  him- 
self fully  to  his  proper  work,  and  have  his  mind  as. 
little  encumbered  by  worldly  matters  as  possible. 

'•'  With  earnest  prayer  for  the  welfare  of  the  parish^ 
and  the  Divine  guidance  in  the  choice  of  a  successor,, 
and  a  blessing  upon  his  labors, 

I  remain  your  sincere  friend  and  Pastor, 

Richard   D.  Hall." 

After  his  removal  from  Hempstead,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Hall  became  Rector  of  St.  Mary's  Church,  Hamilton- 
ville.  West  Philadelphia.     He  also  held,  for  a   time,. 


234         '^^-  P(^'^l's   Church,  Glen  Cove, 

the  position  of  an  agent  for  the  American  Bible  So- 
ciety. He  died  at  Mount  Holley,  New  Jersey,  July 
28,  1873,  aged  84  years. 

It  was  during  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hall's  rectorship  that 
another  parish  was  organized  within  the  boundaries 
originally  assigned  to  St.  George's.     This  was 

St.  Paul's  Church,  Glen  Cove. 

To  this  place  the  early  Rectors  of  St.  George's  had 
occasionally  extended  their  labors.  The  Rev.  Dr. 
Jenney,  in  his  report  to  the  Venerable  Society  in 
1729,  mentions  Musquito  Cove,  the  name  by  which 
the  place  was  then  called.  The  number  of  persons 
in  that  neighborhood  was  then  small,  and  many  were 
the  places  desiring  or  needing  church  services, 
among  which  the  Rector  had  to  divide  his  time. 
When,  after  some  years,  the  hamlet  had  developed 
into  a  village,  and  promised  to  become  a  thriving 
place,  the  Episcopalians  living  there  took  active 
measures  to  secure  to  themselves  continued    services. 

Previous  to  the  organization  of  a  parish,  services 
had  been  held  frequently  in  the  village  school-house 
by  the  Rev.  Joseph  F.  Phillips,  of  Christ  Church, 
Manhasset,  and  also,  it  is  thought,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Sherwood,  of  Cold  Spring,  and  the  Rev.  J.  P.  F.  Clark. 

Determinate  action  for  the  establishment  of  a  parish 
was  taken  on  the  4th  of  March,  1833,  by  the  circula- 
tion of  a  subscription  paper  to  secure  funds  for  the 
building  of  an  Episcopal  Church. 

"^  **  We  the   subscribers,  believing   it  important  to 


*  Parish  Records  of  St.  Paul's.  Glen  Cove. 


S^.  Paul's   Church,  Glen  Cove,         235 

have  a  house  for  pubhc  worship  in  this  section  of 
country,  do  promise  to  pay  the  sum  opposite  our 
respective  names  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  an 
Episcopal  church  in  the  village  of  Mosquito  Cove. 

"  When  sufficient  funds  are  subscribed,  a  meeting 
of  the  subscribers  will  be  called  to  determine  where 
the  church  shall  be  located,  and  appoint  trustees  to 
receive  the  money  and  superintend  the  construction 
of  the  building." 

To  this  paper  seventy-five  names  were  signed,  and 
the  sum  of  $1364  was  subscribed,  besides  pledges 
of  labor,  etc.  Greatly  encouraged  by  the  interest 
manifested  in  the  project,  it  was  determined  to  pro- 
ceed to  organize  a  parish.  After  due  notice  of  this 
purpose  a  meeting  was  held,  December  16,  1833. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  F.  Phillips,  then  Rector  of  Christ 
Church,  Manhasset,  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  it  was 
resolved — 

''To  organize  a  parish  in  communion  with  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  and  in  conformity  with  the  laws  of  the  State. 

"  That  the  name  or  tide  by  which  it  should  be 
known  in  law  was  fixed  on  and  agreed  to  as  *  The 
Rector,  Church  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  St.  Paul's 
Church,  Mosquito  Cove,  Queens  Co.' 

''That  the  Vestry  should  consist  of  two  Wardens 
and  eight  Vestrymen,  to  be  elected  annually. 

^'  That  the  annual  meeting  of  the  parish  for  the 
election  of  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  should  be  held 
on  Tuesday  in  Easter- week." 

The  meeting  then  proceeded  to  elect  the  Wardens 
and  Vestrymen,  when  the  following  named  persons 
were  duly  elected,  viz.: 


236         S^.  PauVs  Church,  Glen  Cove, 

Oliver  Coles,         )  tt7    j 
Israel  Horsefield.  [  hardens. 

James  C.  Townsend,  M.  D. 

Edward  Coles, 

Daniel  T.  Cock, 

John  D.  Feeks,  J„  Vestrymen, 

Edward  Coles  (of  Dosoris), 

James  Udall, 

Willet  Weeks, 

Joseph  Coles, 

Messrs.  John  B.  Coles  and  Ephraim  Gritman,  with 
the  Chairman,  were  appointed  to  certify  to  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  meeting. 

"  On  the  2 1st  day  of  December,  at  a  Vestry  meeting 
held  in  the  School  House,  Israel  Horsefield,  Church 
Warden,  being  in  the  chair,  and  Edward  Coles,  of 
Dosoris,  clerk  pro  tcm.  Oliver  Coles  was  unani- 
mously elected  as  Treasurer,  Doctor  James  C.  Town- 
send  was  unanimously  elected  Clerk,  Edward  Coles  of 
Dosoris,  w^as  unanimously  elected  Collector,  and  Oli- 
ver Coles,  Israel  Horsefield,  Joseph  Coles,  Edward 
Coles  of  Mosquito  Cove,  Daniel  T.  Cock  and  James 
Udall  were  elected  a  building  committee  to  superin- 
tend the  finishing  of  the  Church." 

On  the  4th  of  February,  1834,  the  name  of  the  Vil- 
lage of  Mosquito  Cove  was  changed  to  its  present 
name  of  Glen  Cove.  The  record  of  which  is  as  fol- 
lows : 

"  Agreeable  to  public  notice  a  meeting  of  the  in- 
habitants of  the  Village  of  Mosquito  Cove  and  its 
vicinity,  was  held  at  the  house  of  Joshua  T.  Wright, 
February  4,  1834,  to  take  into  consideration  the  pro- 
priety of  changing  the  name  of  the  village  and  patent 
of  the  Mosquito  Cove.      George  D.  Cojes,  Esq.,  was 


S^.  Paul's  Churchy  Glen  Cove,         237 

called  to  the  chair,  and  Doctor  Jas.  C.  Townsend  ap- 
pointed Secretary. 

^'Resolved,  unanimously,  that  it  is  expedient  to 
change  the  name  of  the  village  and  patent  of  Mos- 
quito Cove." 

The  name  of  Glen  Cove  was  then  proposed,  and  the 
question  being  taken  on  the  adoption  of  this  name,  it 
was  unanimously  adopted. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  be 
signed  by  the  Chairman  and  Secretary,  and  published 
for  three  months  in  the  two  county  papers,  and  in  the 
Long  Island  Star,  in  the  New  York  Standard  and 
Statesman,  and  in  the  Courier  and  Enquirer. 

''  (Signed)  GEORGE  D.  COLES,  Ch'm'n. 
**  (Signed)  J  AMES  C.  ToWNSEND,  SecV." 

At  the  next  annual  meeting,  held  in  tlie  Church, 
Tuesday  in  Easter  Week,  ''the  same  being  the  first  day 
of  April,  Anno  Domini  one  t]:ousand  eight  Ininclrcd 
and  thirty-four,"  after  Morning  Prayer  the  election 
was  held,  resulting  as  follows  : — Oliver  Coles  and 
Israel  Horsefield,  Church  Wardens.  Messrs.  Edward 
Coles,  Joseph  Coles,  Edward  Coles,  of  Glen  Cove, 
James  C.  Townsend,  M.D.,  Daniel  T.  Cock,  James 
Udall,  Willet  Weeks  and  John  D.  Feeks,  Vestrymen. 

The  church  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1675, 
and  was  consecrated  May  3,  1834,  by  the  Rt.  Rev. 
Benjamin  T.  Onderdonk.  The  grounds  about  the 
church  were  set  apart  and  laid  out  for  a  cemetery,  and 
regulations  concerning  interments  therein  were  agreed 
upon,  August  27,  1834, 

Until  the  year  1 846,  the  parish  was  connected  with 
Christ    Church,    Cow- Neck     (now     Manhasset),    the 


238         S^.  PauVs  Church,  Glen  Cove. 

Rector  of  Christ  Church  giving  to  St.  Paul's  one  ser- 
vice on  Sunday  and  such  other  attendance  during  the 
week  as  might  be  necessary. 

Under  this  agreement  the  Rev.  Joseph  F.  Phillips, 
the  Rector  of  Christ  Church,  became  also  Rector  of 
St.  Paul's.  Afterwards  the  Rev.  Moses  Marcus  filled 
that  position  from  December  14,  1835,  to  June  19, 
1836,  when  the  Rev.  Jam.es  P.  F.  Clark  succeeded 
him  and  continued  in  it  until  some  time  in  1 846. 

The  first  Rector  of  the  Parish  having  exclusive 
charge,  was  the  Rev.  William  Alfred  Jenks,  whose 
term  of  office  extended  from  July  25,  1846,  to  May  2, 
1849.  During  his  rectorship,  by  the  efforts  of  the 
ladies  of  the  congregation,  the  church  was  greatly 
improved  in  its  internal  arrangements  and  appearance. 
A  recess  chancel  was  added  to  the  church  and  its 
general  effect  brought  to  accord  with  improved  views 
of  ecclesiastical  architecture. 

The  Rev.  Stephen  Douglass  succeeded  Mr.  Jenks  in 
September,  1849,  ^^^^  resigned  the  cure  Oct.  i,  1852. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Mallaby  became  Rector,  Nov.  I, 
1852,  resigning  the  position  May  i,  1874.  During  his 
incumbency  the  church  was  enlarged  and  beautified. 
In  1856,  Mr.  John  B.  Coles,  at  his  own  expense, 
erected  a  range  of  horse-sheds  for  the  use  of  those  at- 
tending church,  at  an  exccnse  of  over  $300.  In  1857 
an  organ  was  purchased  for  $800,  and  the  old  bell, 
which  had  become  cracked,  was  exchanged  for  a  new 
one.  In  1858,  another  enlargement  of  the  church 
was  made  by  extending  it  eighteen  feet,  thus  provid- 
ing an  addition  of  twenty-eight  pews.  Mrs.  John  B. 
Coles,  by  a  gift  of  $200,  provided  an  open  roof  to  take 


Rav.   William*  M.  CarmichaeL         239 

the  place  of  the  former  flat  ceiling.  At  Christmas, 
1859,  a  stone  font  was  obtained,  and  in  the  same  year 
an  additional  lot  of  ground  was  added  to  the  cemetery 
o^  333  by  45  feet,  .at  a  cost  of  $500. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Mallaby  was  succeeded,  Sep.  i,  1874, 
by  the  Rev.  John  Cavarly  Middleton,  S.T.D. 


Rev.  William  M.  Carmichael. 

The  Rev.  Richard  D.  Hall  was  succeeded  in 
the  Rectorship  of  St.  George's,  Hempstead,  by 
the  Rev.  Wm.  M.  Carmichael,  who  accepted  the 
call  given  to  him  by  the  Vestry,  July  21,  1834, 
couched  in  the  terms  of  the  one  given  to  Mr. 
Hall,  but  which  stipulated  that  "  the  salary  shall  be 
$700  per  annum."  He  was  Instituted  by  the  Rt. 
Rev.  Benjamin  T.  Onderdonk,  on  Sunday,  August  17, 
1834,  the  Rev.  Sam'l.  A.  Warner,  of  Antigua,  being 
present  and  assisting.^ 

Mr.  Carmichael  was  born  in  Albany,  in  the  year 
1804.  He  graduated  from  Hamilton  College,  in 
1826,  and  pursued  his  theological  studies  at  Prince- 
ton. He  was  licensed  as  a  Presbyterian  preacher, 
and  acted  for  six  months  as  a  temporary  supply  to  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  Waterford,  N.  Y.  His 
views  respecting  the  requisites  for  a  duly  authorized 
ministry  having  undergone  a  change,  he  announced 
the  fact  to  the  people  he  was  supplying,  and  sought 
for  Episcopal  ordination.  He  was  ordained  Deacon, 
Jan'y  13,  1832,  by  Rt.  Rev.  B.  T.  Onderdonk,  and 
Priest,  April    10  of  the  same  year.     In  1839  he  re- 

*  Parish  Register,  jj.  ii6. 


240  S^.  George  s  Church. 

ceived  the  degree  of  S,T.D.  from  Columbia  College, 
He  was  called  to  this  parish  from  Christ  Churchy 
Rye,  of  which  he  was  then  Rector.  This  was  a  repe- 
tition of  an  occurrence  in  1726,  when  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Jenney  was  called  here  from  the  same  parish. 

One  of  the  earliest  of  Mr.  Carmichael's  official  acts 
is  thus  recorded : 

"  Buried  in  the  yard  of  St  George's  Church,  on  the 
20th  of  October,  1834,  Mrs.  Judith  Moore,  widow 
of  the  late  Rev.  Thos.  Lambert  Moore,  aged  "JJ  years." 

Soon  after  Mr.  Carmichael  had  entered  upon  his 
duties,  the  Vestry  authorized  extensive  repairs  to  be 
made  upon  the  parsonage,  and  the  fence  around  the 
glebe  ;  the  interior  of  the  church  was  repainted  \  an 
organ  purchased  for  $600,  and  a  carpet,  lamps,  and 
books  for  the  chancel  obtained.  The  outlay  was 
about  $1600,  a  part  of  which  was  obtained  by  sup- 
scriptions  and  a  part  from  loans  on  the  notes  of  the 
Vestry.  The  barn  which  had  been  built  at  the  request 
of  Mr.  Hobart,  in  1800,  and  which  had  been  placed 
fronting  on  Greenwich  Street,  was  removed  to  its 
present  position,  back  from  the  street.  In  the  same 
year  (1834),  the  Rector  and  Vestry  determined  to 
offer  for  sale  a  portion  of  the  parsonage  glebe.  Five 
lots  on  Greenwich  Street,  were  accordingly  sold. 
The  first  lot  next  south  of  the  parsonage,  being  sev- 
enty-five feet  front,  was  sold,  ultimately,  to  Richard 
Carman,  for  $840,^  being  about  $11  per  foot  front. 
One  was  sold  to  George  Vannostrand,  and  the  others 
to  Joseph  Bedell,  a  blacksmith,  and   to  Stephen  Be- 

*  Records,  p.  309. 


Rev    William  M.  CarmichaeL         241 

dell  and  Sylvanus  Bedell.  A  lot  was  also  sold  on 
the  east  side  of  the  parsonage  garden,  adjoining  the 
Thorne  property,  of  seventy  feet  front  on  Prospect 
Street,  to  William  H.  Barrol,  at  $12  per  foot  front, 
$840,  but  not  being  paid  for,  it  reverted  to  the  Vestry, 
who  have  since  declined  offers  for  it. 

The  proceeds  of  these  sales  of  property,  wliich  had 
been  devoted  solely  towards  the  support  of  the  Rector, 
both  by  the  vote  of  the  town  and  the  subsequent 
ratification  of  the  legal  authority  of  the  Province  of 
New  York,  should,  of  course,  have  been  funded,  that 
the  income  might  be  sacredly  devoted  to  the  purposes 
of  the  grant.  We  shall  see,  presently,  whether  this 
was  the  procedure. 

'^  May  30,  1836. — ''The  Vestry  advanced  the 
Rector's  salary  to  $900  a  year." 

The  land  on  Fulton  Street,  east  of  and  extending 
to  the  present  Attorney  Street,  in  the  village  of 
Hempstead,  originally  contained  twenty-three  acres. 
Some  of  this  property,  known  as  "  the  Greenfield 
farm,"  had  been  thrown  out  to  straighten  Fulton 
St^'eet  or  the  Farmingdale  Turnpike,  as  it  was  called  ; 
ana  one  or  two  small  gores  had  been  sold.  It  was 
at  one  time  designed  to  use  the  land  as  a  cemetery.* 

This  idea  was  finally  given  up,  and  it  was  resolved 
to  sell  it.  It  was  offered  to  Mr.  Amos  Hogins,  of  New 
York,  for  $1850;  who  bought  the  larger  part  of  it 
for  $1800,  and  gave  a  mortgage  and  bond  for  the 
amount,  which  he  discharged  in  1 844,  and  the  money 

11  *  Records,  p.  274. 


242        ^    Trinity   Chapel,  Rockaway. 

was  reloaned  to  Thomas  Nelson.^  The  remaining; 
part  was  sold  to  Jacob  Duryea.f 

Oct.  5,  1837. — ^r.  Carmichael  reported*: 

Baptisms — Adults  18,  children  4 22 

Marriages lO 

Confirmed  (including  1 5  at  Rockaway) 44 

S.  School :  Teachers,  12  ;  Scholars,  50 62 

Communicants  (including  Rockaway)  about  140 
Burials 24 

Besides  these,  43  emigrants  and  sailors,  who  were 
drowned  by  the  wrecking  of  the  ship  Mexico  at 
Long  Beach,  on  the  night  of  Jan.  2,  1837,  ^^'^^'^  inter- 
red by  him  at  Rockville  Cemetery,  where  a  monu- 
ment was  erected  by  funds  given  by  citizens,  com- 
memorating these  "  unknown  dead." 

Among  the  burials  of  this  date  there  is  recorded 
that  of  Mrs.  Onderdonk,  the  mother  of  the  Bishops, 
who  had  resided  in  Hempstead  some  time  before  her 
death. 

TRINITY   CHAPEL,    ROCKAWAY. 

The  Rectorship  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Carmichael  was 
marked  by  the  important  measure  of  the  permanent 
occupation  of  Rockaway  for  the  services  of  the 
Church ;  and  the  initiatory  steps  which  led  to  the  in- 
dependent existence  of  another  parish  within  the 
ancient  limits  of  old  St.  George's.  From  an  histori- 
cal sketch  of  Trinity  Parish,  Rockaway,  by  the  Rev 
Samuel  W.  Sayres,  Rector,  read  at  the  laying  of  the 
corner-stone  of  the  recently  erected  church,  we  learn 
that  as  far  back  as  the  year  18 17,  occasional  services- 
were  held  in  Rockaway,  by  the  Rev.  Seth  Hart.     In 

*  Church  Records,  p.  323.  \  Ibid,  p.  335. 


Trinity  Chapel,  Rockaway,  243 

August  of  that  year  the  Governor  of  the  State,  Dan- 
iel D.  Tompkins,  being  on  a  visit  to  Far  Rockaway, 
donated  to  the  inhabitants,  on  petition  of  Mr.  Benja- 
min Cornwell  and  others,  a  small  building,  formerly 
a  **  block-house,"  for  use  as  a  place  of  worship.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Hart  held  services  in  this  building  every 
fourth  Sunday  afternoon.  The  Rev.  Gilbert  H. 
Sayers,  D.D.,  Rector  of  Grace  Church,  Jamaica,  also 
officiated  occasionally.  This  arrangement  continued 
until  the  need  of  a  more  convenient  and  befitting 
house  for  worship  was  generally  felt.  The  question 
of  erecting  a  Chapel,  while  often  considered,  did  not 
result  in  any  positive  efforts  to  obtain  one  until 
.September,  1835  ;  when  a  consultation  of  the  friends 
of  the  church  was  held,  and  at  a  subsequent  meeting 
it  was  resolved  to  build  a  Chapel,  and  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Carmichael,  v/ho  presided  at  the  meeting,  and  Mr. 
Clinton  Pettit  and  George  Hewlett,  were  appointed  a 
Committee  to  take  the  necessary  steps  to  carry  this 
resolve  into  effect  by  securing  the  funds  and  a  suitable 
lot  of  land  on  which  to  place  a  Chapel,  "  to  be  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  V^estry  of  St.  George's  Church, 
Hempstead." 

A  lot  of  ground  containing  about  three  acres  was 
^iven  by  Major  Cornelius  Van  Wyck  and  his  sister. 
Another  acre  was  purchased  from  the  same  parties, 
and  on  the  3rd  of  May,  1836,  the  corner-stone  was 
laid  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  B.  T.  Onderdonk,  iiishop  of  the 
diocese.  Donations  of  timber  and  stone  were  receiv- 
ed ;  about  $1500  was  raised  by  subscriptions,  and  a 
.gift  of  $500  was  made  on  the  application  of  the  Com- 
mittee by  the   Corporation   of  Trinity  Church,  New 


244  Trinity  Chapel,  Rockaway, 

York.  These  facts  were  duly  reported  to  St.  George's 
Vestry  j"^  and  also  that  while  the  cost  of  the  Chapel 
had  been  about  $2,300,  there  was  left  an  indebtedness 
of  only  about  J90,  which  the  Committee  would  im- 
mediately seek  to  obtain.  They  requested  the 
Vestry  to  take  the  proper  steps  to  have  the  building 
consecrated,  by  the  name  of  ''Trinity  Chapel, 
Rockaway." 

The  Vestry  accepted  the  report  with  thanks  to  the 
gentlemen  who  had  so  expeditiously  and  admirably 
executed  the  work  intrusted  to  them.  They  signed, 
the  certificate  and  request  to  the  Bishop;  who  complied 
with  it,  and  the  chapel  was  consecrated  by  Bishop 
Onderdonk,  on  Saturday,  July  8,  1837.  The  next 
day  the  Bishop  administered  the  rite  of  confirmation 
to  a  class  of  fifteen. 

The  chapel  and  grounds  continued  to  be  the  prop- 
erty of  St.  George's,  Hempstead,  until  1844. 

On  the  1 2th  of  December,  1843,  ^t  a  meeting  of 
the  congregation  of  the  chapel,  Messrs.  Clinton 
Pettit,  George  M.  Hewlett  and  Peter  T.  Hewlett  were 
appointed  a  Committee  to  obtain  from  the  corporation 
of  St.  George's  a  separation'  from  that  parish,  prepara- 
ton^  to  its  organization  as  a  separate  parish.  This 
committee  waited  upon  the  Vestry,  Jan  22,  1844.'!' 
But  the  Rev.  Dr.  Carmichael  having  resigned  the 
rectorship,  and  there  being  no  Rector,  the  Vestry  de- 
ferred action  until  they  were  duly  organized  with  a 
Rector.  And  it  was  not  until  October  9,  1844,  that 
the  matter  w^as  disposed  of     At  that  date,  at  a  meet- 

*  Parish  Records,  p.   138.  \  Records,  p.  320. 


Trinity   ChapcL  Rockaway.  245 

ing  of  the  Vestry,  the  Rev.  Orlando  Harriman,  Jr., 
Rector,  in  the  chair,  was  passed  the  following: 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Corporation  of  St.  George's 
Church,  Hempstead,  convey  all  their  right,  title,  and 
interest  in  Trinity  Church,  Rockaway,  and  the  lands 
appertaining  thereto,  to  the  Rector  and  Vestry  of 
said  church,  by  deed  of  gift,  to  be  held  by  them  and 
their  successors,  for  the  purposes  of  an  Episcopal 
(Church  ?)  and  no  other  purpose. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Rector  and  S.  Warden  be  a 
Committee  to  prepare  the  deed,  and  the  Rector  be 
authorized  to  sign  it  and  affix  thereto  the  corporate, 
seal." 

Upon  this  favorable  action  of  St.  George's  Vestry,, 
a  meeting  was  held  of  the  congregation,  Feb'y  14, 
1844,"^"  and  the  organization  of  Trinity  Church,  Rock- 
away, perfected  ;  and  the  following  persons  elected  its 
first  vestry : 

Foster  Nostrand,  )   .jr     , 
Clinton  Pettit,       [  ^^''d^'^s. 

George  Hewlett, 

Jacob  Lawrence, 

John  L.  Morton, 

Aledger  Hewlett,  ,   jr   j. 

George  M.  Hewlett,  ^  Vestrynmu 

Jacob  Stringham, 

George  R.  Rhodes, 

Robert  B.  Baisely,  M.  D. 

Within  a  few  years  a  Chapel  to  Trinity  Church  has 
been  built  at  Far  Rockaway,  and  consecrated  by 
Bishop  Potter,  Nov'r,  i860 — mainly  through  the 
zealous  efforts   of  Mrs.    F.    H.    Bolton  ;  affording  a 

■i<^*  Parish  Records,  pages  330  and  331. 


246  Trinity  Chapel,  Rockaway, 

coveted  opportunity  to  many  to  enjoy  the  services  of 
the  Church  who  Hved  too  great  a  distance  from  the 
mother  Church. 

In  1854,  largely  through  the  liberality  of  Mr.  Jo- 
seph Hewlett,  a  rectory  was  built  on  the  church 
grounds.  In  1876,  preparation  for  building  a  new  and 
large  church  was  begun ;  the  corner-stone  being  laid 
by  the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese,  July  19,  1877;  and 
the  contrast  between  it  and  the  old  one  marks  the 
wonderful  advance  made  in  forty  years  in  ecclesiasti- 
cal architecture,  as  it  also  indicates  the  prosperous 
growth  of  the  parish.  The  new  church  was  conse- 
crated by  the  Rt.  Rev.  A.  N.  Littlejohn,  Bishop  of 
Long  Island,  May  2,  1878. 

List  of  Rectors  of  Trinity  Church,  Rockaway. 

Rev.   J.  Carpenter  Smith,  D.D 1844  to  1847. 

"     Vandervoort  Bruce 1847  ^o  185 1. 

Beverly  R.  Betts 185 1  to  1852. 

Dexter  Potter  (officiated) 1853  to  1854. 

"■     George  L.  Neide  .. .    1854  to  1859. 

"     Robert  T.  Pearson .1859  to  1875. 

"     Samuel  W.  Say  res May,  1876. 

The  old  church  has  been  converted  into  a  lecture 
and  Sunday-school  room.  The  local  position  of  the 
church  and  rectory  is  now,  of  late,  distinguished  by 
the  name  of  Woodsburgh,  so  called  after  Mr.  Samuel 
Wood. 

After  the  chapel  at  Rockaway  was  built,  in  1836^ 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Carmichael  found  it  best  for  the  interest 
of  the  parish  to  give  every  other  Sunday  afternoon  to 
Rockaway,  although  this  involved  the  necessity  of 


<( 


Rev,   William  M.  Carmickael.  247 

his  discontinuing  the  service  he  had  been  accustomed 
to  hold  at  the  Court  House."^ 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  March,  1838,  another 
addition  to  the  church-yard  was  effected  by  the  pur- 
chase from  David  Bedell  of  a  plot  of  ground  Co  feet 
wide  and  300  feet  long,  for  the  sum  of  $600.  J-  To 
raise  this  sum  one  hundred  dollars  at  six  per  cent  was. 
obtained  as  a  loan  from  Lewis  Rushmore,  and  $500. 
from  Lawrence  Seaman,  at  the  same  rate  of  interest ; 
but  the  latter  made  it  a  condition  for  his  loan — *'  that 
each  and  every  individual  of  the  Vestry  by  himself 
became  responsible  for  the  same."  The  Vestry 
strongly  objected  to  these  terms,  as  being  "a  depart- 
ure from  the  general  and  authorized  mode  of  doing 
business.":}:  Nevertheless,  they  complied  with  them, 
and  severally  signed  Seaman's  note.  It  will  be 
observed  that  the  financial  burdens  upon  the  parish 
were  accumulating  rather  rapidly.  The  Vestry,  after 
a  while,  began  to  feel  the  pressure  of  these  obHgations,, 
and  May  17, 1742,^  they  directed  the  treasurer  to  pajr 
the  following  obligations,  amounting  to  $730,  viz.: 

Note  held  by  Lawrence  Seaman,  principal  and  in- 
terest, $424  00 
Note  held  by  Jane  Rushmore,                  $201   60 
"       ''     by  Samuel  L.  Seaman,  105  00 

Besides  taking  up  these  notes,  the  Treasurer  was 
directed  to  pay  sundry  bills. 

The  money  to  minister  this  relief  was  taken  from 


*  Records,  p.  138.  f  Records,  p.  284, 

\   Records,  p.  287.  ^  Records,  p.  309. 


248  S^.  George's  Church. 

the  $840  for  which  a  part  of  the  parsonage  glebe  had 
been  sold  to  Joseph  S.  Corn  well.  This  was  a  diver- 
sion of  funds  given  and  sacredly  devoted  "  to  the 
support  and  maintenance  of  the  minister  of  the  parish." 
By  this  procedure  the  ministers'  support  is  diminished 
for  all  time. 

In  1838,^  permission  was  given  to  the  Rector  ta 
sell  the  old  bell  and  procure  a  new  one.  The  bell 
now  in  the  church  was  then  bought,  but  the  sub- 
scriptions could  not  have  equalled  the  price  of  it,  for 
in  April,  1845,  we  find  the  Vestry  directing  the  Treas- 
urer **  to  pay  the  note  due  Messrs.  O.  T.  and  J.  Hew- 
lett for  the  bell,  with  the  money  received  from  the 
Greenfield  lots,  lately  sold."t  Another  diversion  of 
funds  which  were  given — not  to  pay  for  casual  bills — 
but  "  towards  the  support  of  the  Rector  of  said  par- 
ish for  the  time  being." 

In  1S38  the  erection  of  the  lecture-room  was  under- 
taken. The  ladies  of  the  parish  had  formed  a  *'  Fe- 
male Sewing  Society,"  and  by  their  industry  earned 
the  funds  necessary.  This  was  accomplished  at  a 
cost  of  $700,  and  the  building  was  occupied  in   1840. 

In  the  parish  register  of  Burials,  under  date  of 
1840,  occurs  this  entry  : 

"Interred  in  the  churchyard,  Aug.  15,  1840,  by 
the  Rev.  Wm.  L.  Johnson,  of  Jamaica,  the  Rector 
being  indisposed,  Edward  Henry,  son  of  Simeon 
Hyde,  of  Brooklyn,  in  the  twenty- third  year  of  his 
age." 

It  was  in  comiection  with  the  grave  of  Mr.  Hyde 
that  Bishop  Coxe  wrote  the  ballad  entitled  '  Church- 

*  Records,  p.  286.  f  Records,  p.  333. 


Rev    William  M.  Carmichael.         249 

yard,  St.  George's,  Hempstead, '"^^  which  is  esteemed 
by  many  as  the  sweetest  in  the  collection  of  ''  Chris- 
tian Ballads."  In  a  note  to  this  ballad.  Bishop  Coxe 
says  : 

*'  The  parish  of  St.  George's,  Hempstead,  is  the 
oldest  in  the  State  of  New  York;  and  its  church- 
yard, though  not  a  model  cemetery,  is  dear  to  me  as 
containing  the  remains  of  my  kinsman,  Edward  Henry 
Hyde,  sometime  a  member  of  the  University  of  New 
York,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  intended  for  Holy 
Orders.  This  ballad  was  suggested  by  a  moonlight 
visit  to  his  grave,  in  1840." 

Strangers  often  inquire  after  this  grave,  but  it  seems 
not  to  have  been  marked  by  a  grave-stone. 

The  Vestry,  at  a  meeting,  July  5,  1842,  informed 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Carmichael,  that  in  consequence  of  the 
insufficient  income  of  the  parish,  they  would  be  una- 
ble to  give  the  increased  salary  they  had  promised, 
and  proposed  that  it  sliould  recede  to  its  previous 
limits.  Dr.  Carmichael  did  not  feel  that  he  could 
accede  to  this  proposition,  and  after  various  ineffect- 
ual efforts  to  find  terms  mutually  agreeable  to  the 
Vestry  and  himself,  he  finally,  on  the  30th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1843,  sent  to  the  Senior  Warden  a  note 
authorizing  him  to  convene  the  Vestry  and  to  lay 
before  it  his  letter  resigning  the  parish,  the  resigna- 
tion to  take  effect  ''  after  six  months  "  had  expired  ; 
**  upon  the  condition,  of  course,  that  all  moneys  due, 
or  to  be  due,  be  punctually  and  fully  paid."t 

Dr.  Carmichael  published  the  following  works : 
**  The  Christian  Fathers — a  Memoir,"  1844;  **  Three- 


*  See  Appendix,  A.  f  Records,  p.  317. 


250  S^.  Georges  Chtirch. 

fold  Ministry  of  the  Church,"  1844,  i2mo;  **  Rise 
and  Progress  of  St.  George's  Church,  Hempstead," 
1841,  Svo. 

The  latter  production  had  its  motive  in  consequence 
of  a  discourse  preached  at  Raynor  Town,  now  Free- 
port,  Nov.,  1840,  by  the  Rev.  Sylvester  Woodbridge. 
In  that  discourse  Mr.  Woodbridge  represented  that 
the  church  property  belonging  to  St.  George's  was 
not  rightly  theirs,  but  had  been  wrested,  by  the  men 
of  early  times,  from  the  Presbyterians,  most  unjustly. 

This  assertion  having  often  been  made  privately 
before,  and  now  finding  an  open  avowal  from  a  bold 
advocate,  it  was  thought  best  to  recite  the  facts  con- 
cerning the  source  of  the  church's  claim,  and  to 
remove  the  misapprehension  which  some,  doubtless 
quite  innocently,  had  entertained,  that  the  property 
had  really  belonged  to  the  Presbyterians  ;  and  that 
they  had  been  ousted  in  some  way,  and  others  were 
enjoying  those  fruits  which  belonged  to  them. 

Some  of  the  facts,  which  we  have  recorded  in  the 
preceding  pages,  were  a  surprise  to  many,  who  had 
been  prejudiced  against  the  Church,  and  the  pam- 
phlet of  Dr.  Carmichael,  which  was  published  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  Vestry — served  to  inform  and  disabuse  the 
minds  of  all  unprejudiced  persons.  For  it  is  now 
evident  that  the  Presbyterians  did  not  own  the  prop- 
erty, which  was  ceded  to  the  Episcopalians  ;  that,  in 
fact,  neither  they  nor  the  Congregationalists  or  Inde- 
pendents, nor  any  religious  body  held  the  title  in  fee- 
simple  to  the  church,  or  any  of  the  lands  and  build- 
ings connected  with  it ;  but  that  it  was  the  property 
of   the    toivn,  appropriated  to  certain  purposes,  but 


Rev.   William  M.  Carmichael,  251 

not  alienated.  It  is  further  clear  that  when  the  Epis- 
copalians came  upon  the  ground,  the  minister  who 
had  been  here  (and  who  it  is  most  probable  was  not 
a  Presbyterian,  but  an  Independent  or  Congregation- 
alist),  had  left  because  he  could  not  get  a  support, 
and  therefore  there  was  no  minister  of  any  kind  in 
the  town  of  Hempstead,  whose  rights  could  be  in- 
truded upon.  The  Episcopalians  came  upon  unoc- 
cupied territory:  and  when,  at  length,  the  town 
parted  with  its  right  to  church,  parsonage  and  glebe, 
they  released  that  right  to  the  Episcopalians.  There 
was,  therefore,  by  the  Episcopalians,  no  intrusion,  no 
wresting  of  property  belonging  to  others.  What 
they  obtained  they  obtained  by  the  grant  of  those  to' 
whom  the  property  belonged ;  and  their  vote  to 
make  over  the  property  to  the  Episcopalians  is  con- 
clusive proof  that  they  had  not  previously  given  it 
to  any  other  party. 

These  points  are  recited,  not  because  the  matter  is 
of  the  least  practical  importance,  but  for  the  truth  of 
history. 

In  January,  1844,  the  parish  being  again  without 
a  Rector,  the  Vestry  appointed  the  22d  of  January 
for  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry  ''  and  congregation,"  for 
the  purpose  of  calling  a  Rector.  The  meeting  was 
held  at  the  date  proposed  ;''•  and  while  the  names  of 
the  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  are  given — all  of  whom 
were  present  except  Samuel  Hewlett — neither  the 
names  nor  number  of  the  congregation  who  attended 
are  recorded.     Yet  those  who  were  present  "  unani- 

*  Parish  Records,  p.  319. 


252  S^.  Georges  Church, 

mously  resolved  to  proceed  to  elect  a  Rector,  bjr 
ballot. 

As  the  result  of  this  suffrage,  it  was  found  that  the 
Rev.  Orlando  Harriman  was  almost  unanimously 
elected.  But  that  this  election  was  not  to  be  taken 
as  absolute,  is  made  evident  by  the  fact  that  it  was 
immediately  proposed  that  ''  said  Mr.  Harriman  be 
invited  to  come  and  preach,  that  further  arrange- 
ments be  made  in  the  matter." 

The  *'  communicants  and  pewholders "  then  re- 
turned thanks  to  the  Vestry  for  the  very  liberal  man« 
ner  in  which  they  waived  their  chartered  rights,  by 
giving  them  an  equal  voice  with  the  Vestry  in  the 
choice  of  a  Rector.^  The  Vestry  appear  to  have  seen, 
on  reflection,  that,  despite  the  thanks  given  them,  they 
could  not  *'  wave  "  obligations  imposed  by  the  char- 
ter, and  which,  by  their  acceptance  of  office  under  it, 
they  had  promised  to  observe  ;  for  the  week  following, 
viz.,  Jan.  29,  the  Vestry  met  and  corrected  their  pre- 
vious error.  Samuel  Valentine,  Senior  Warden, 
being  in  the  chair,  it  was  unanimously 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Orlando  Harriman  be 
called  as  Rector  of  our  church  and  parish." 

**We  the  undersigned,  Wardens  and  Vestrymen 
of  said  church,  do  hereby  call  the  Rev.  Orlando  Har- 
riman to  be  Rector  of  said  parish,  as  long  as  the  said 
Rector  and  said  Vestry  and  said  congregation  shall 
agree,  at  an  annual  salary  of  six  hundred  dollars  per 
year,  payable  half  yearly,  to  commence  with  his 
regular  services  in  said  church  ;  together  with  the  use 


*  Parish  Records,  p.  320. 


Rev.  Orlando  Harriman,  253: 

of  the  parsonage  house  and  barn,  and   the  adjoining, 
lands  and  garden. 

Samuel  Valentine,  )    j^^^^,,,,, 
Lewis  Pettit,  ) 

John  Bedell,  ) 

Samuel  L.  Seaman,      |-  Vestrymen!* 

George  Vannostrand,  ) 

The  other  Vestrymen  at  this  time,  who,  it  would 
appear,  were  absent  from  this  meeting,  were  Benja- 
min Tredwell,  Lewis  Rush  more,  and  Samuel  Hewlett. 

A  letter  of  invitation,  after  the  form  of  previous 
ones,  wasTorwarded  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Harriman,  who 
accepted  the  call  in  a  letter  to  the  Senior  Warden,, 
bearing  date  Feb.  3,  1844.'" 

Mr.  Harriman  presided  at  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry 
held  Ash-Wednesday,  Feb.  20,  1844,  wliich,  at 
his  request,  made  application  to  the  Bishop  of  the 
Diocese  for  the  Institution  of  the  Rector  elect.  This 
ceremony  was  performed  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  B.  T. 
Onderdonk,  D.D.,  on  the  following  Easter-Day,  April, 
7,  Mr.  Valentine,  the  Senior  Warden,  presenting  the 
keys  of  the  church  to  the  Rector  elect,  after  the  pre- 
scribed order  of  the  Office  of  Institution. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Harriman  had  graduated  from  Co- 
lumbia College,  New  York,  in  1835,  with  exceptional 
honors.  He  ministered  for  a  time  in  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church.  In  1842  he  was  principal  of  Mount 
Pleasant  Academy,  Sing  Sing,  and  in  1843,  having 
entered  the  Church,  he  became  assistant  minister  at 
Christ  Church,  Tarry  town.     He  was  ordained  Deacon 


*  Records,  p.  325. 


254      Grace  Church,  South   Oyster  Bay, 

by  Bishop  B.  T.  Onderdonk,  May,  1841,  and  Priest, 
Aug.  13,  1842. 

June,  1844,  Wm.  L.  Laing,  Esq.,  was  appointed 
secretary — '*  clerk,"  is  the  title  given  by  the  Charter. 
In  this  office  he  served  for  many  years  afterwards,  with 
the  heartiness  and  zeal  which  marked  the  man,  who 
delighted  to  help  in  any  way  the  church  he  loved  so 
well,  and  which  he  was  always  ready  to  aid  by  his 
generosity. 

For  several  years  prior  to  1844,  the  Rectors  had 
performed  the  duties  of  parish  clerk,  rather  incongru- 
ously with  their  position  as  presiding  officers  of  the 
Vestry  and  Corporation. 

Nothing  of  especial  moment  occurred  during  the 
rectorship  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Harriman  w^ith  the  excep- 
tion of  the  setting  off  of  another  and  the  fourth  par- 
ish from  the  old  mother.  As  Manhasset,  and  then 
Rockaway,  and  then  Glen  Cove,  had  found  it  necessary 
to  set  up  for  themselves,  so,  in  1844,  the  Churchmen 
who  lived  in  the  South-eastern  limits  of  the  parish 
felt  that  the  time  had  come  when  they  too  should 
form  a  separate  household,  and  the  proper  steps  were 
taken,  which  resulted  speedily  in  the  organizing  of  the 
parish  of 

GRACE    CHURCH,    SOUTH    OYSTER   BAY. 

In  this  portion  of  the  parish  resided  several  branches 
of  the  family  of  the  Floyd- Jones,  who  for  generations 
had  been  strong  adherents  of  the  Church,  and  attended 
services  at  St.  George's  as  frequently  as  the  distance^ 
twelve  miles,  would  allow. 

At  a  meeting  duly  called  for  the  purpose,  the  par- 


Grace  Church,  South  Oyster  Bay.         255 

ish   was  organized  and  the   following  persons  were 
elected  Vestrymen : 

Gen.  Thomas  Floyd-Jones,  \    ^rT     1 
r^.  T  r  Wardens, 

Thomas  Lawrence,  ) 

Vestrymen. 
Gen.  Henry  Floyd-Jones,     Henry  Hone, 
I.  S.  Jackson  Jones,  James  Meinell, 

Samuel.  Jones,  Elbert  Floyd-Jones, 

Fred.  Z.  Carman,  Thomas  Jones. 

Land  for  the  church  site  and  a  cemetery  was  given 
by  Gen.  Thomas  Floyd-Jones,  and  funds  to  erect  the 
church  by  the  members  of  the  parish.  The  church 
was  completed  in  1845,  ^I'l^  the  same  year  the  parish 
was  admitted  into  union  with  the  Convention  of  New 
York. 

The  church  edifice  was  consecrated  on  the  13th  of 
April,  1847,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Wm.  Heathcote  Delancy, 
the  great  grandson  of  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote,  who  in 
1702  and  3  strenuously  befriended  the  Churchmen  of 
Hempstead,  and  sought  the  aid  of  the  Venerable  So- 
ciety for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  to  establish 
the  Church  among  them. 

Rectors  and  Ministers  of  Grace  CJiitrch,  South    Oys- 
ter  Bay  : 

Rev.  Wm.  A.  Curtis,  June,  1846,  to  May,   1849. 

S.  S.  Stocking,  supplied  in  the  summer  of  1849. 
Joseph  N.  Mcllvaine,  Nov.  1849  to  April,  185  I. 
David  E.  Barr,  July,  1851,  to  Oct.  1852. 
S.  Chipman  Thrall,  July,  1853,  to  March,  1855. 
H.  C.  Stowell,  Nov.  1856,  to  April,  1862. 
S.  S.  Stocking,  May  4,   1862. 


256  St  Geo7'ges  Church, 

It  was  the  misfortune  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Harriman 
that  he  came  to  the  parish  at  the  time  when  the  Ox- 
ford Tracts  and  the  Carey  ordination  had  greatly 
disturbed  many  minds,  and  excited  a  fear  of  the  pre- 
valence of  Romish  customs  and  doctrines.  Clergy- 
men were  anxiously  regarded  by  their  people,  and 
acts  and  expressions  which  at  other  times  would 
have  been  considered  of.  no  evil  significance,  caused 
alarm.  Possibly  Mr.  Harriman  did  not  duly  regard 
the  temper  of  the  times,  nor  reflect  that  to  carry  out 
with  unusual  vigor  the  ecclesiastical  system  of  the 
•Church,  or  to  urge  her  claims  with  much  strenuous- 
ness,  under  such  circumstances,  might  easily  beget 
contentions.  At  any  rate,  differences  did  arise  be- 
tween the  Rector  and  some  of  his  parishioners, 
which,  after  a  time,  led  the  Vestry  to  appeal  to  the 
Standing  Committee  of  the  Diocese — there  being 
then  no  Bishop  who  could  act — to  dissolve  the  pas- 
toral relation.  But  they  refused  to  interfere."^'  As 
the  difficulty  was  finally  felt  to  admit  of  no  adjust- 
ment, Mr.  Harriman  authorized  the  Senior  Warden 
to  call  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  and  lay  before  them 
the  following  communication  : 

"  To  the  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  St.  George's 
Church  : 

**  GcntleiJien-^\  herewith  resign  the  office  of  Rec- 
tor of  St.  George's  Church,  Hempstead,  on  the  con- 
dition of  your  paying  up  all  arrearages  of  salary  to 
May  I,  1849,  ^I'ld  an  additional  year's  salary  to  May 
I,  1850,  and  also  of  my  being  allowed  to  occupy  the 

*  Jour.  N.  Y.  Convention  for  1849,  p.  72. 


Rev,  Orlando  Harriman.  257 

parsonage  house  and  land  free  of  expense  until  the 
first  day  of  November  next. 

"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  O.  Harriman,  Jr. 

''Hempstead,  Jtine  %  1849." 

To  this  communication  the  Vestry  sent  the  follow- 
ing reply : 

"  Rev.  O.  Harriman,  Jr. : 

"  Dear  Sir — At  a  full  meeting  of  the  Board  of 
Vestry  of  St.  George's  Church,  Hempstead,  convened 
at  the  Sunday-school  room  of  said  church,  on  the 
9th  June,  1849,  as  per  authority  from  the  Rector,  we 
have  unanimously  accepted  your  resignation  of  St 
George's  Church,  Hempstead. 
^'  Respectfully  yours, 

''  John  Bedell,  Senior  Warden^ 

With  Mr.  Harriman's  resignation,  he  submitted  a 
statement  of  his  claims,  which  amounted  to  $960  08. 
Towards  meeting  this,  the  Vestry  obtained  a  loan  of 
$600  from  Valentine  Smith,  at  six  per  cent,  on  their 
note. 

Mr.  Harriman  and  his  family  remained  in  the  rec- 
tory until  the  following  October,  when  he  courteously 
yielded  it  up  to  his  successor  in  the  rectorship. 

Note. — The  Rev.  Mr.  Harriman  and  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Carmichael  have  both  died  while  these  sheets 
were  passing  through  the  press. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

1849— 

OUR  historic  sketch  has  now  been  brought  down 
to  the  period  when  the  rectorship  of  the  com- 
piler himself  began. 

As  some  events  of  importance  to  the  parish  have 
taken  place  during  his  unusually  protracted  rector- 
ship, of  which  no  full  record  is  preserved  by  others, 
and  which  those  who  come  after  us  may  feel  an  inter- 
est in,  he  believes  it  proper  to  continue  the  narrative. 

A  native  of  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  on  graduat- 
ing from  the  General  Theological  Seminary,  he 
was  ordained  deacon  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  B.  T.  Onder- 
donk,  D.D.,  Sunday,  June  28th,  1840,  in  St.  Peter's 
Church,  New  York,  and  Priest  at  St.  Ann's  Church, 
Lowell,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  A.  V.  Griswold,  D.D.,  Sun- 
day, March  13th,  1842. 

From  July,  1840,  to  October,  1841,  he  had  charge 
of  St.  Luke's  Church,  East  Greenwich,  Rhode  Island. 
December,  1841,  being  invited  to  the  city  of  Man- 
chester, New  Hampshire,  he  organized  the  parish  there 
and  a  church  was  built  and  paid  for  by  subscriptions 
from  the  people  of  the  parish  and  owners  of  the  man- 
ufactoring    property    who  resided  in  Boston.     That 


THE    REV.    WM.    H.    MOORE,    D.D. 


Rev.   William  H.  Moore.  259 

city,  now  become  so  populous,  was  then  but  recently- 
founded.  After  laboring  in  Manchester  for  nearly 
seven  years,  he  resigned  the  parish  in  consequence  of 
prolonged  sickness  from  typhoid  fever.  When,  after 
several  months,  he  had  sufficiently  recovered  his  health, 
he  accepted  a  request  to  organize  a  parish  at  Ballard- 
vale,  in  the  town  of  Andover,  Massacliusetts. 

While  engaged  in  that  work,  he  received,  through 
the  Rev.  Dr.  B.  C.  Cutler,  of  St.  Ann's,  Brooklyn,  a 
request  to  supply  for  a  Sunday  the  vacant  pulpit  of 
St.  George's,  Hempstead,  a  parish  of  which  he  had 
then  no  knowledge.  Desiring  to  gratify  Dr.  Cutler, 
and  at  the  same  time  visit  friends  in  Brooklyn  and 
New  York,  he  complied  with  the  request,  and  officiated 
in  St.  George's,  Sunday,  August  12th,  1849.  Much 
to  his  surprise,  before  leaving  to  return  to  his  parish 
in  Massachusetts,  he  received  from  the  Vestry  of  St. 
George's  the  following  communication  : 

'*  We,  the  undersigned.  Wardens  and  Vestrymen 
of  St.  George's  Church,  Hempstead,  do  hereby  call 
the  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Moore  to  be  Rector  of  said  parish, 
as  long  as  the  parties,  (that  is,)  the  Rector,  Wardens 
and  Vestrymen,  shall  agree  ;  and  that  when  a  dissolu- 
tion of  the  connection  shall  be  requested,  due  notice 
shall  be  given,  not  less  than  three  months  beforehand. 
And  it  is  hereby  declared  and  agreed,  that  the  salary 
shall  be  six  hundred  dollars  per  annum,  in  half-yearly 
payments,  to  commence  with  the  Rector's  regular  ser- 
vices, together  with  the  use  of  the  parsonage-house,, 
barn,  garden,  &c. 

''Hempstead,  Atcgiist  i$th,  1849. 


John  Bedell,   )   ^  ^ 
Lewis  Pettit,  )  ^^^^^^^^ 


Vestrymen, 


260  6'/.  Georges  Church, 

Samuel  L.    Seaman, 
Lewis    Rushmore, 
Samuel    Hewlett, 
Harry    H.  Marvin, 
Wm.    Rhodes, 
Jonathan  Gildersleeve, 

To  which  communication  the  following  reply  was 
made. 

"  To  the  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  St.  George's 
Church,  Hempstead : 

''  Geiitlernen — I  have  taken  into  prayerful  conside- 
ration the  call  to  become  your  Rector,  which  you 
have  extended  to  me  with  such  pleasing  unanimity. 
And  I  am  ^ided,  I  trust,  by  the  Spirit  of  Divine 
wisdom  to  accept  it. 

**  The  more  I  have  reflected  upon  the  spirit  of  con- 
cord in  which  you  were  enabled  to  act,  and  by  which 
diverse  minds  were  so  quickly  brought  to  entertain 
the  same  preference,  the  more  I  am  disposed  to  re- 
gard it  as  a  token  of  God's  pleasure,  and  a  presage 
of  good  for  your  parish.  I  devoutly  trust  that  this 
same  spirit  may  mark  all  our  counsels  and  inter- 
course ;  and  that  the  sacred  connection  into  which 
we  have  been  led  will  be  sanctified  and  sealed  by  the 
increasing  holiness  of  believers  and  the  conversion  of 
the  impenitent  to  God. 

"  My  expectation  and  purpose   is   to  be  with  you^ 
God  willing,  on  the  first  Sunday  in  September. 
'•  I  remain  sincerely, 

**  Your  friend  and  brother  in  the  Gospel, 

''W.  H.  Moore." 

''  Aiidover,  Aug.  21,  1849. 

The  promptness  and  unanimity  with  which  this  in- 
vitation was  given  by  the  Vestry,  is  to  be  attributed 
to  kindly  recommendations  made,  unsought,  by  the 


Rev.   William  H.  Moore.  261 

Rev.  Dr.  Cutler,  Thos.  Wm.  C.  Moore,  Esq.,  and  Mr. 
Thomas  Stanford,  the  then  Church  bookseller  of  New- 
York  :  and  to  the  fact  that  the  very  name  "  Moore  " 
was  cherished  by  the  aged  members  of  the  parish, 
from  being  connected  with  a  former  Rector,  who  had 
endeared  himself  to  them  by  his  attainments  and  vir- 
tues. And  it  is  but  duly  reverent  to  record — after  a 
lapse  of  more  than  thirty  years — that  the  conviction 
of  a  divine  leading  in  the  determination  made  in 
1849,  is  abiding  w^ith  increased  strength  in  the  writer 
in  188 1.  And  while  all  but  three  of  those  who  called 
him  to  the  parish  are  dead,  it  is  due  to  their  memo- 
ries and  to  the  yet  living  to  make  the  grateful  decla- 
ration that  the  harmony  of  the  beginning  has  not 
been  disturbed  for  an  hour  since ;  and  that  with  every 
member  of  each  succeeding  Vestry,  he  has,  by  God's 
blessing,  maintained  unbroken  affectionate  intercourse. 
Some  of  those  who  have  gone  were,  like  other  men, 
persons  of  rigid  wall  and  strong  prejudices,  but  they 
were  all  accessible  to  reason,  and  would  readily  re- 
spond to  a  respectful  and  patient  approach. 

The  foUow^ing  prominent  events  in  the  history  of 
the  parish  since  1849,  ^^'^  recorded. 

In  October,  1849,  another  and  the  final  enlarge- 
ment of  the  churchyard  was  made,  by  the  purchase 
of  the  land  at  the  north  and  west  of  the  Sunday- 
school  room,  from  Coles  Carman  and  Benjamin  T. 
Smith,  for  $400,  and  the  money  hired  of  Samuel 
Hewlett  with  which  to  pay  for  it.  This  amount  Mr. 
Hewlett  bequeathed  to  the  church  in  1869,  on  the 
condition  that  his  grave  plot  in  the  yard  should  be 
kept  always  in  good  order. 


262  kS/.  Geo7^ges  Church, 

In  1850  the  now  stately  row  of  trees  outside  the 
churchyard  were  set  out,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Rector  and  Messrs.  Laing  and  John  Harold.  The 
trees  were  a  gift  from  William  Horace  Brown,  Esq.  ; 
a  member  of  the  parish,  then  residing  at  Foster's 
Meadow. 

The  same  year  the  Treasurer's  account  showed : 

Receipts $1 184  97 

Expenditures. 1096  46 

Balance 88  51 

In  1852  : 

Receipts  were $1673  39 

Expenditures 1661  00 

Balance 12  39 

One  hundred  dollars  was  added  to  the  Rector's 
salary,  and  the  thanks  of  the  Vestry  were  given  to 
Miss  A.  E.  Angevine  for  her  acceptable  and  gratui- 
tous services  as  organist. 

The  rent  of  the  pews  was  advanced. 

In  1853  the  Treasurer's  account  showed  a  balance 
of  cash  on  hand  of  $311.91.  The  Rector's  salary 
was  made  $800. 

In  1854  the  clock  now  in  the  church  tower  was 
bought  of  the  makers,  Sherry  and  Byram,  of  Sag 
Harbor,  for  the  sum,  including  dials,  &c.,  of  $638. 
This  amount  was  raised  by  general  subscription,  the 
names  of  the  donors  being  engrossed  on  parchment ; 
and  by  a  ladies'  fair,  which  yielded  $240.  By  a 
vote  of  the  contributors,  it  was  placed  in  St.  Geoi-ge's 
Church. 


Rev.   William  H.  Moore.  265 

In  1855,  the  piazza  on  the  south  side  of  the  par- 
sonage was  built,  and  also  a  new  kitchen,  at  a  cost 
of  $400. 

In  1856  the  recess  chancel,  twenty-five  feet  wide 
by  seventeen  feet  deep,  with  robing-room  adjoining, 
was  built,  at  a  cost  of  $1300 — this  sum  being  raised 
by  the  subscriptions  of  the  members  of  the  parish. 

To  effect  this  addition  there  was  necessarily  dis- 
placed the  old  arrangement  for  conducting  the 
service,  which  was  neither  convenient  nor  seemly. 
The  chancel  extended  into  the  body  of  the  church. 
Within  the  rail  was  the  communion-table.  Directly^ 
over  this  was  the  reading-desk ;  behind,  over  the 
reading-desk,  towered  the  pulpit,  whose  top  was  on  a 
level  with  the  galleries.  Access  to  the  pulpit  was  had 
by  winding  stairs  on  either  side  of  the  chancel, 
though  why  two  were  necessary,  unless  for  mere  uni- 
formity of  appearance,  we  cannot  say.  Behind  the 
pulpit  was  a  mock  representation  of  a  heavily  pan- 
elled arched  door,  over  the  centre  of  which  was 
perched  a  gilt  dove,  bearing  a  gilt  olive-branch  in  his 
beak.  Underneath  the  pulpit,  and  behind  the  read- 
ing-desk, was  a  door  to  the  robing-room,  a  small 
building  attached  to  the  north  end  of  the  church. 
This  building,  having  been  enlarged  three  feet,  is  the 
present  Infant  Sunday-school  room,  attached  to  the 
Sunday-school  room,  which  was,  at  the  same  time, 
lengthened  thirteen  feet,  and  the  room  painted,  and 
a  melodeon  purchased. 

By  the  erection  of  the  recess  chancel,  space  was 
obtained  for  the  addition  of  eight  pews. 

In  the  designing  and    plans  for  the  chancel,  great 


264  SL  Georges  Church. 

assistance  was  derived  from  the  taste  and  skill  of  Mr. 
William  H.  Dannat,  then  a  member  of  the  parish. 
The  work  was  done — and  therefore  well  and  hon- 
estly done — by  Sands  Powell. 

In  February,  i860,  gas  was  introduced  into  the 
church. 

In  1862,  in  consequence  of  leaks  in  the  roof  of  the 
church,  a  portion  of  the  ceiling  having  fallen,  the 
church  was  new  ceiled,  and  a  slate  roof  put  on. 

In  1868  was  purchased  the  organ  of  twenty-two 
stops,  built  by  Alexander  Mills,  of  New  York,  at  a 
cost  of  $2300,  including  the  appraised  value  of  the 
old  organ.  This  sum  was  raised  by  the  generous 
subscriptions  of  the  members  of  the  parish,  few  of 
whom  gave  less  than  $10  each,  and  the  larger  num- 
ber of  whom  gave  $25  each.  Those  who  gave  this 
amount  and  upwards  to  $100,  were  the  following: 

William   Norton,  Esq.  Edwin  Webb,  M.  D. 
Charles  W.  Mulford,          .  Charles  Denton, 

J.  F.  Oakley,  Peter  C.  Barnum, 

Henry  Walters,  Philip  J.  A.  Harper, 

Thos.  W.  C.  Moore,  Thomas  H.  Clowes, 

Wilham  Miller,  Lewis  Angevine, 

E.  W.  Breuninghausen,  Mrs.  Prof  Docharty, 

Edward  Skillin,  Mrs.  Whitman  Matthews, 

George  G.  Waters,  Esq.  Robert  S.  Seabury, 

Benjamin  F.  Rushmore,  Henry  P.  Seabury, 

Mrs.  William  Coles,  Mrs.  McBrain, 

Samuel  L.  Seaman,  Jacob  Valentine, 

Daniel  Clark,  Esq.  Miss  Elizabeth  Moore, 

Gideon  Nichols,  George  N.  Paff. 

Many  other  expenditures  were  made  at  this 
period   for   carpets,    furnaces,    and     other   improve- 


Rev.   William  H.  Moore,  265 

ments,  in  every  case  the  rule  being  to  raise  the 
money  before  the  expenditure  was  made.  The  fol- 
lowing table  will  give,  in  one  view,  a  statement  of 
the  principal  items  of  the  extra  outlay. 


Building  recess  chancel,                           5 

51300  00 

Furnishing  do       do, 

68  00 

Carpet  for  church. 

100  00 

Blinds,  and  refitting  Sunday-school  room,  ^0  00 

Melodeon  for                      do                do 

75  00 

Clock, 

638  00 

Enlargement  of  Sunday-school  room. 

326  00 

Slating  church  roof 

600  00 

Kitchen  to  Parsonage,  and  piazza, 

575  00 

Painting  church, 

312  00 

Roofing  Rectory, 

96  00 

Painting  Rectory, 

216  00 

Gas-piping  Church  and  Rectory, 

276  60 

Fence  around  Church-yard, 

1 100  00 

Flagging  in  Church-yard, 

96   OO' 

Flagging  in  front  of  Church-yard, 

464  00 

Furnaces  in  Church  and  S.  S.  Room 

619  00 

Graining,  fresco-papering,  and  carpeting 

Sunday-school  Room 

150  00 

Seats  for  Lecture  Room, 

300  00 

Church  Organ  (excluding  old  organ,) 

1600  00 

Iron  Safe, 

80  00 

Re-carpeting  Church, 

145  00 

Re-painting  Church-fence,  Oct,  1879, 

176  00 

Building  Porch  to  Rectory, 

236  00 

The  churchyard  was  re-fenced  in  1866,  the  work 
being  done  by  Sands  Powell,  the  principal  contribu- 
tors to  which  were  Samuel  and  Abraham  Wood, 
$150,  and  John  Kellum,  $100.  The  other  subscrib- 
ers were  those  who  also  had  relatives  interred  in  the 
12 


266  S^.  Georges  Church, 

yard.     Five  feet  of  the  south  end  of  the  yard,  as  now 
marked  by  posts,  was  thrown  out  for  a  walk. 

PARISH    LIBRARY. 

In  1850  was  begun  a  Parish  Library,  which  at 
this  writing  numbers  about  550  volumes,  principally 
of  a  churchly  bearing,  and  selected  with  reference  to 
various  tastes  and  spiritual  needs,  and  all  of  an  en- 
during interest.  Its  use  is  free  to  all  members  of  the 
parish.  From  time  to  time  it  is  added  to,  through 
collections  made  for  the  purpose,  and  it  receives  also 
a  small  sum  yearly  from  bequests  of  Thomas  W.  C. 
Moore,  Esq.,  and  Miss  Eloise  Moore. 

Besides  the  books  in  this  library  there  are  others 
belonging  to  the  parish,  which  properly  pertain  to 
the  Pastor's  library,  the  germ  of  which  collection  is 
of  considerable  antiquity.  In  it  are  the  following 
named  works : 

Drelincourt  on  Death,  one  cover  and  title  page  gone. 

Brady's  Sermons,  4  vols.,  2  series;  one  edition  1704, 
the  other,  1730.  /. 

Bishop  Hickman's  Sermons,  only  2nd  vol. 

West  on  the  Resurrection. 

Hicks,  D.D.,  Rev.  George,  Sermons,  vol.  i  only,  ed. 
1713.  This  work,  and  also  Brady's,  the  gift  to 
St.  George's  Church,  by  Robert  Ellison,  Esq., 
Comptroller  of  Customs  in  the  province  of  New 
York,  1735. 

Bishop  Jeremy  Taylor's  "  Ductor  Dubitantium,"  or 
Guide  to  the  Doubting.     FoHo,  ed.  of  1659. 

Bishop  Andrews  on  the  Commandments. 

These  volumes  are  perhaps  but  the  remnants  of  a 
collection  once  made  for  the  Rector's  use. 


Rev.   William  H,  Moore.  267 

Funds  Invested  for  Rector's  Support. 

In  April,  185  i,  the  Vestry  sold  for  the  sum  of  $125 
a  gore  of  land  lying  in  the  rear  of  some  of  those  lots  on 
Greenwich  street,  which  had  been  sold  in  1834.  They 
ordered  this  sum  invested,  and  the  interest  of  it  to 
be  paid  the  Rector  annually^  as  being  derived  from 
property  which  had  been  set  apart  for  his  support. 
Subsequently  the  Vestry  borrowed  this  money, 
**  pledging  the  interest  to  the  present,  and  all  suc- 
ceeding Rectors,  and  authorizing  him  to  draw  an- 
nually on  the  treasurer  for  it,  at  the  rate  of  six  per 
cent.  And  lest  this  pledge  should  be  overlooked  at 
any  future  time,  it  was  entered  in  the  Vestry  minute 
book  in  rad  ink,  that  it  might  be  "  conspicuous."'" 

This  proceeding  of  the  Vestry  offers  a  striking  con- 
trast to  the  action  had,  as  we  have  already  related, 
with  the  funds  derived  from  the  sale  of  the  Green- 
wich street  lots  and  the  Greenfield  property.  In  re- 
membrance of  that  misappropriation,  and  that  future 
Vestries  might  be  guarded  from  repeating  the  perver- 
sion, the  Vestry  at  this  time  appointed  John  Bedell, 
Lewis  D.  Rushmore,  and  Wm.  L.  Laing  a  Committee 
to  ascertain  and  report  the  sources  from  which  the 
invested  funds  were  obtained,  and  the  objects  for 
which  they  were  given. 

This  Committee  reported,  Nov.  i853,t  that  the 
funds  were  derived,  as  we  have  seen,  from  several 
sources  ;  but  were  in  each  case  granted  or  bequeathed 
solely  for  the  benefit  and  support  of  the  Rector  of  St. 
George's  for  the  time  being,  and  could  noj;  therefore 


*  See  p.  384  of  Records.  \   Records,  p.  405. 


268  Trinity  Church,  Roslyn, 

be  applied  to  the  current  expenses  of  the  parish,  or 
any  other  purpose  than  this,  without  a  breach  of  trust, 
and  the  perpetration  of  an  act  of  injustice  and  wrong. 

It  is  a  pity  that  the  facts  thus  stated  had  not  been 
attended  to  before  the  Fund  had  been  depleted  sev- 
eral hundred  dollars,  in  order  to  pay  debts  and  make 
repairs,  which  could  have  been  paid  from  funds 
raised  at  the  time. 

The  evil  of  resorting  for  common  needs,  to  funds 
which  have  been  sacredly  devoted  to  another  use,  is 
fruitful  in  evil  results.  One  of  them  is  that  it  discour- 
ages persons  from  making  bequests  for  a  pious  or 
benevolent. purpose.  And  another  is  that  encourage- 
n^ent  is  thus  given  to  a  disposition  already  rife  in  our 
country,  to  entertain  lax  views  respecting  moral  obli- 
gations. In  view  of  that  report,  in  1853,  which  was 
promptly  accepted  and  approved,  it  may  be  hoped 
that  no  trust  funds  of  the  parish  will  hereafter  be 
diverted  from  their  proper  use. 

TRINITY    CHURCH,    ROSLYN. 

As  belonging  to  this  period  it  is  proper  to  give  an 
account  of  the  establishment  of  a  parish  at  Roslyn.^ 

The  first  attempt  to  establish  an  Episcopal  church 
in  Roslyn  was  made  by  the  Rev.  Moses  Marcus,  in 
1836,  while  he  was  minister  of  Christ  Church,  Man- 
hasset.  The  services  he  began  ceased  to  be  held  on 
Mr.  Maicus'  removal,  in  1837. 


*  Occasinnil  services  had  been  held  there  from  an  early  period.  In 
the  private  d»ary  of  the  Rev.  Thos.  L.  Moore,  1 785-1 799,  are  found 
recorded  under  their  proper  dates  the  entry,  "  Read  and  Preached  at 
Hempstead  Harbour." 


Trinity  Church,  Roslyn,  269 

Subsequently,  the  Rev.  Ralph  Williston,  being  in 
feeble  health,  came  to  reside  in  Roslyn.  He  renewed 
the  holding  of  services,  and  they  were  so  well  attend- 
ed, that  it  was  determined  to  build  a  church.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop  B.  T.  Onderdonk,  in 
1839,  on  a  lot  given  by  John  R.  Schenck.  But  the 
sudden  death  of  Mr.  Williston  stopped  the  enterprise. 
Nothing  further  was  done  in  the  matter  until  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Cox,  D.D.,  Rector  of  Christ  Church,  Man-^ 
hasset,  (i 849-1 854,)  with  the  purpose  of  reaching 
persons  in  that  distant  part  of  his  parish  who  could 
not  attend  church,  again  began  to  hold  services  there. 
Inviting  the  co-operation  of  the  writer,  and  one  or 
two  other  clergymen  occasionally,  the  services  were 
held  frequently  and  regularly,  first  in  the  public- 
school  house,  and  afterwards  in  a  room  over  a  store 
in  the  village,  which  was  appropriately  fitted  up  for 
the  purpose.  Here  a  Sunday-school  was  begun  and 
prospered.  All  efforts  were  heartily  seconded  by  the 
Episcopalians  then  living  in  Roslyn,  and  many  others. 
The  prospect  became  so  encouraging  that  in  June, 
1854,  the  "  Convocation  of  Queens  and  Suffolk  Coun- 
ties "  adopted  the  place  as  a  missionary  station,  and. 
provided  for  the  support  of  a  missionary.  The  Rev. 
Charles  E.  Phelps  was  appointed  to  that  office.  In 
consequence  of  the  removal  of  some  of  the  most  effi- 
cient Church  families,  the  favorable  current  of  affairs 
was  interrupted ;  Mr.  Phelps  resigned  and  the  services 
were  again  discontinued. 

A  few  years  afterwards,  matters  having  again  be- 
come promising,  the  effort  to  establish  the  church  was 

12* 


270  Trinity   Church,  Roslyn. 

renewed,  and  principally  through  the  efficient  support 
of  Mrs.  Ann  E.  Cairns,  it  was  successful. 

Mrs.  Cairns  in  1862  deposited  with  the  Rector  of 
Christ  Church,  Manhasset,  (the  Rev.  G.  W.  Porter, 
D.D.,)  the  sum  of  $2,500,  to  be  applied  towards  the 
erection  of  a  chapel  at  Roslyn,  which  was  to  be  held 
in  trust  for  the  Episcopalians  of  Roslyn  until  they 
should  be  able  to  organize  and  take  care  of  them- 
selves. To  the  sum  given  by  Mrs.  Cairns  there  was 
added  at  least  $1,500  more,  contributed  by  the  resi- 
dents of  Roslyn  and  its  vicinity,  which  sum  was  also 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Rector  and  Vestry  of 
Christ  Church,  Manhasset. 

The  Vestry  took  action,  as  follows  r"^ 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry  of  Christ  Church, 
held  at  the  Rectory,  on  February  6,  1862,  present  the 
Rector  and  Messrs.  Hewlett  and  Willis,  Wardens ; 
and  Messrs.  Poole,  Allen,  Bremner  and  Mitchell  of 
the  Vestry.      It  was  on  motion  : 

"'  Resolved,  That  the  following  preambles  and 
resolutions  be  adopted  : 

"Whereas,  we  have  been  duly  informed  by  the 
Rector,  that  our  respected  and  venerable  townswoman 
Mrs.  Ann  E.  Cairns,  being  desirous  of  having  a  cha- 
pel erected  in  Roslyn,  the  village  of  her  residence,  for 
the  celebration  of  Divine  worship  according  to  the 
Doctrine  and  Liturgy  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church,  has  given  the  generous  sum  of  $2500  to  be 
applied  to  the  erection  of  said  chapel : 

"  And  whereas  Mrs.  Cairns  has  given  this  money 
on  the  condition  that  the  Rector,  Wardens  and 
Vestrymen  of  Christ  Church,  Manhasset,  shall  be  the 
trustees  thereof,  and  of  the  property  which  shall  be 

*  Records  of  Christ  Church,  Manhasset. 


Trinity  Church,  Roslyn.  271 

purchased  therewith,  until  such  time  as  the  Episco- 
paHans  of  Roslyn  shall  be  sufficiently  numerous  to 
warrant  the  organization  of  a  separate  parish  ;  there- 
fore, 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Rector,  Wardens  and  Vestry- 
men of  Christ  Church,  Manhasset,  do  accept  for 
ourselves  and  for  our  successors  in  office,  the  trust, 
and  do  hereby  record  our  deep  and  lively  sense  of 
the  Christian  liberality  of  the  donor. 

•*  Resolved,  That  a  committee  consisting  of  Messrs. 
Samuel  L.  Hewlett,  Samuel  J.  Willis,  and  the  Rector, 
be  appointed  to  purchase  land  and  superintend  the 
erection  of  the  proposed  chapel  thereon. 

"Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  this 
meeting,  so  far  as  they  relate  to  the  above  named 
donation  of  Mrs.  Cairns,  be  most  respectfully  com- 
municated to  her  by  the  Rector. 

'*  Signed  by  GEO.  W.  PORTER,  Rector. 

Samuel  J.  Hewlett,  Samuel  J.  Mitchell,  Wardens. 
Samuel  C.  Poole,  Richard  Allen,     ] 

Andrew  A.  Bremner,  John  S.  Morrell,  >  Vestry^ 
Wm.  A.  Mitchell,  L.  G.  Capers,      )  men. 

Joseph  L.  Hewlett, 

''  Wm.  a.  Mitchell,  Clerkr 

The  Committee  to  purchase  land  for  the  Chapel, 
obtained  the  present  site  of  one  acre  from  Mr.  Ste- 
phen Mott,  for  $1000  cash,  and  the  title  was  duly 
vested  in  the  corporation  of  Christ  Church,  Manhas- 
set. A  plan  and  specification  for  the  building  were 
obtained  from  McDonald  and  Clinton,  and  a  contract 
made  with  S.  Roe,  of  Flushing,  to  erect  it,  for  $1995. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  Horatio  Potter,  on  the  nth  of  July, 
1862,  laid  the  corner-stone,  which  was  the  same  that 
in  1839  1^^<^  been  used.     It  was  opened,  and  additional 


272  Trinity  Church,  Roslyn, 

documents  inserted  in  the  box.  When  the  edifice 
was  built,  the  ladies  of  the  congregation  provided  a 
furnace,  carpets,  and  other  furniture,  and  the  chapel 
was  consecrated  on  Tuesday,  December  2,  1862,  by- 
Bishop  Potter ;  the  Rector,  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Porter, 
reading  the  request  for  consecration  and  instruments 
of  donation ;  the  Lessons  and  Prayers  being  by  the. 
Rev.  Thomas  Mallaby  of  Glen  Cove,  and  Rev.  Wm.. 
H.  Moore,  D.  D.,  of  Hempstead. 

For  seven  years  the  Rector  of  Christ  Church,  Man- 
hasset,  continued  to  serve  the  portion  of  his  flock,, 
who  met  in  the  chapel  at  Roslyn. 

March  19,  1869,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry  of  the 
parish,  the  following  action  was  taken,  sundering  the 
connection  between  mother  and  daughter,  by  the 
unanimous  adoption  of  the  following  preamble  and 
resolution : 

"  Whereas,  the  Protestant  Episcopalians  of  Roslyn, 
by  a  committee  of  H.  W.  Eastman,  Thos.  Clapham,, 
and  John  J.  Willis,  have  made  application  to  the 
Vestry  of  Christ  Church,  Manhasset,  to  have  the 
chapel  of  that  place,  now  a  part  of  this  Parish,  set  over 
to  them  for  the  purpose  of  a  separate  organization, 
and  to  establish  a  settled  ministry,  the  more  effectually 
to  carry  out  the  good  work  begun  in  that  part  of 
God's  vineyard,  and  believing,  as  we  do,  that  the 
future  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  church  depends 
wholly  or  mainly  on  the  active  exertions  of  a  settled 
minister :  now  therefore, 

**  Resolved,  That  as  soon  as  they  shall  be  organized 
as  a  Vestry,  that  the  application  be  granted.  And 
may  God  add  His  blessmg  to  their  labors  and  speed 
the  good  work. 

"  S.  S.  Smith,  Clerk  of  the  Vestry r 


Trinity   Church,  Roslyn,  273 

The  congregation  at  Roslyn  thereupon  proceeded 
to  organize  a  parish. 

"^  "  At  a  meeting  of  the  male  members  of  the  con- 
gregation worshipping  in  the  Chapel  at  Roslyn, 
attached  to  Christ  Church,  Manhasset,  held  at  said 
Chapel,  April  7,  1869,  notice  of  the  same  having  been 
previously  given,  the  Rector,  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Bugbee, 
occupied  the  chair ;  H.  W.  Eastman  appointed 
Sect'y.     On  motion  of  A.  A.  Bremner,  it  was 

*'  Resolved,  That  the  Church  and  Parish  be  known 
by  the  name  o-f  '  Trinity  Church,'  of  Roslyn." 

An  election  was  held,  and  Stephen  Day  was  elect- 
ed Senior  Warden,  and  John  Ordronaux,  Junior 
Warden.  Thomas  Clapham,  Franklin  Wight,  Francis 
Skillman,  Henry  W.  Eastman,  William  J.  WilHs, 
Andrew  A.  Bremner,  John  T.  Willis,  Henry  T.  Hew- 
lett, Vestrymen. 

"  It  was  Resolved,  That  Easter  Monday  be  the  day 
of  termination  of  office  of  the  Wardens  and  Vestry- 
men. 

*'  H.  W.  Eastman.  See'ry^ 

In  1873,  a  rectory  was  built  on  the  church  land  at 
;a  cost  of  nearly  $3,000.  The  whole  property  is  now 
•valued  at  some  $6,000. 

In  the  church  ground  is  a  single  grave,  enclosed 
'within  an  iron  railing.  In  the  grave  are  deposited 
the  remains  of  John,  son  of  Otto  PoUitz,  Esq.,  who 
for  some  years  resided  in  Roslyn.  Young  PoUitz  was 
one  of  the  most  active  members  of  the  young  parish. 
He  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  in  a  southern  hospi- 
tal, while  serving  in  the  army  engaged  in  putting 
down  the  rebellion.      He  devoted  the  pay  he  received 

*  From  minutes   of  Trinity  Church,  Roslyn. 


2  74  '5'/.  Georges  Church* 

from  the  government  to.  purchase  a  bell  for  the 
church.     He  was  also  an  ardent  soldier  of  Christ. 

Mrs.  Cairns  died  March,  1866,  and  her  daughter 
has  presented  to  the  parish,  as  a  memorial  of  her,  a 
considerable  sum  towards  a  fund  for  the  support  of  a 
rector,  and  to  ensure  the  continuance  of  services  in 
the  church. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Rectors: 

Rev.  Stephen  A.  McNulty,  from  June,  1869  to  May, 

1873- 
Rev.   Charles   Pelletreau,   from   May,  1873,   to  July, 

1875. 
Rev.  James  W.  Sparks,  from  Nov.  1875,  to  Nov.  1878. 
Rev.  William  R  Brush,  from  May,  1880. 


CATHEDRAL   AT    GARDEN    CITY. 

An  important  event  in  the  history  of  St.  George's 
parish  took  place  in  1876,  in  the  yielding  up  of  a 
portion  of  its  limits  for  the  establishment  of  a  Cathe- 
dral for  the  See  of  Long  Island.  In  June,  1875,  in 
answer  to  a  request,  the  writer  waited  upon  Mrs. 
Alexander  T.  Stewart,  who  stated  to  him  that  she 
wished  to  erect  at  Garden  City  a  church,  as  a  memo- 
rial to  her  deceased  husband,  of  which,  she  hoped, 
the  Bishop  of  Long  Island  would  take  charge ;  and 
as  Garden  City  was  within  the  bounds  of  St.  George's 
parish,  she  asked  consent  of  the  writer,  as  Rector  of 
the  parish,  according  to  the  rules  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  for  such  a  partition  of  its  territory. 
Consent  was  given  readily,  and  with  rejoicing  that 
the   Diocese  and  the  whole   Church  were  to  be  so 


Cathedral  at   Garden  City.  275 

enriched,  although  the  old  parish  might  be  thereby 
diminished. 

In  the  following  year,  June  28,  1877,  the  corner 
stone  of  the  designed  memorial  structure  was  laid, 
with  memorable  services,  in  the  presence  of  several 
thousand  persons,  under  the  title  of  the  "  Cathedral 
of  the  Incarnation  of  the  Diocese  of  Long  Island — in 
Memoriam — Alexander  Turney  Stewart." 

Twenty-two  of  the  young  men  of  St.  George's 
parish  acted  as  the  aids  of  the  Committee  of  Arrange- 
ments and  Chief- Marshals  on  that  occasion,  and  per- 
formed their  duties  so  well  under  the  unusual  cir- 
cumstances, as  to  draw  forth  from  the  marshals  a 
letter  of  grateful  appreciation  to  them,  as  having 
very  largely  contributed  to  the  effective  carrying  out 
of  the  plans  for  that  ceremony.  The  project  thus 
begun  has  already  effected  great  things,  and  among 
other  results,  has  attracted  no  little  attention  to  the 
mother  parish  itself 

The  work  already  done  indicates  what  will  be 
effected  when  the  generous  plans  of  the  founder  are 
fully  developed. 

The  Cathedral,  as  may  be  seen,  is  a  thing  of 
beauty,  and  is  as  substantial  as  beautiful.  *'  Though 
not  pretentious  in  the  matter  of  its  dimensions, 
yet  in  gracefulness  of  design,  in  beauty  of  pro- 
portion and  ornamentation,  it  will  not  suffer  by 
comparison  with  the  finest  architectural  creations  of 
Europe."* 

And   St.   Paul's   School   building   includes   every 

*  Dr.  Snively's  address  at  the  laying  of  the  comer-stone. 


276  kS/.  Georges   Church. 

known  device  to  secure  to  its  pupils  all  possible- 
advantages.  Its  massiveness  of  construction  tells  us 
that  it  is  built  to  endure  for  ages,  and  yield  its  bene- 
fits to  many  generations. 


A  sketch  of  the  religious  family,  which  a  parish  is, 
has  mainly  to  do  with  the  exteriors  of  the  life  of  that 
family ;  matters  of  a  visible,  and  mostly  of  a  material 
nature.  It  has  to  be  occupied  with  the  incidents  of 
its  outward  growth  or  decline,  of  the  building  up  or 
taking  down  of  temples  made  by  hands.  Of  the 
spiritual,  which  is  the  real  and  supreme  life  of  that 
family,  very  little  can  ever  be  said  which  is  not  either 
of  a  very  general  nature  or  essentially  indefinite.  The 
things  of  the  spirit  are  cognizable  only  by  those  who 
are  themselves  familiar  widi  spiritual  experiences.  To 
such  persons  a  bare  intimation  will  suffice  to  convey  a 
world  of  precious  information.  In  giving  this  historical 
sketch  of  St.  George's  parish,  we  have  presented  a  few 
statistics  of  baptisms,  confirmations  and  additions  to 
the  Holy  Communion  ;  but  we  have  not  attempted  to 
declare  how  far  even  these  signified  real  "growth  in 
grace,"  and  the  development  of  the  life  of  God  in  the 
souls  of  men.  So  far  as  works  of  benevolence  and 
zeal  for  God  disclose  faith  working  by  love,  so  far  do 
the  acts  of  the  several  generations  of  those  who  have 
made  up  the  continuous  life  of  the  corporate  parish 
afford  data  for  judging  them.  We  know  them  only 
by  their  works ;  the  Judge  of  all  alone  knows  them 
by  their  hearts,  and  as  they  really  are. 

While  it  has  not  been  deemed  judicious  or  safe  to 
seek  to  portray  the   religious   condition   and  attain-^ 


Rev.   Willi av I  H,  Moore.  277- 

ments  of  the  members  of  the  church  in  the  several 
periods  of  the  existence  of  the  parish  which  have 
been  under  review,  the  compiler  does  not  hesitate  to 
say,  in  general  terms,  concerning  this  essential  mat- 
ter, that  several  valuable  religious  features  are  plainly 
to  be  discerned  as  characterizing  the  members  of  the 
church.  They  have  invariably  adhered  to  the  old 
paths  of  the  Church :  to  the  old,  precious,  distinctive 
truths  and  doctrines  of  the  Gospel ;  as  letters  and 
specimens  of  the  sermons  delivered  to  them  and  ac- 
cepted by  them,  which  are  still  preserved,  abundantly 
testify.  We  know  that  tiie  several  pastors  of  the: 
parish  have  proclaimed  to  its  members,  in  unqualified 
terms,  "  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ."  The 
effect  has  doubtless  been  much  the  same  aforetime  as 
now,  and  here,  as  elsewhere  ;  some  have  believed  the 
things  spoken,  and  some  have  believed  not.  Some 
have  had  a  name  to  live,  but  were  dead  ;  while  others 
truly  lived  and  died  unto  Christ. 

More  than  once,  in  the  history  of  the  parish,  has  a 
whirlwind  of  religious  excitement  swept  around  it, 
and  "  overthrown  the  faith  of  some,"  who  v/ere  in 
each  instance  carried  away  by  the  love  of  some  new 
thing — but  the  great  number  remained  unshaken  and 
steadfast.  And  when  the  excitement  had  spent  it- 
self it  was  manifest  that  religion  with  earnestness,  but 
not  with  outcry  and  self-assertion,  is  usually  deepest 
and  most  durable. 

There  are  sundry  incidental  statements  in  the  par- 
ish records  which  plainly  show  that  it  has  had  mem- 
bers whose  Christian  life  shone  with  extraordinary 
briijhtness.     And  tlicv  show  what  is  better  s^ill.  that 


278  S^.  Georges  Church, 

very  many,  by  a  quiet  and  humble  walk  and  con- 
versation, and  by  patient  continuance  in  well  doing — 
some  of  them  to  very  great  age — glorified  God  in 
their  bodies  and  spirits.  They  illustrated  Cyprian's 
saying:  *' We  do  not  speak  great  things,  but  li\^e 
them."^ 

It  would  not  be  difficult  to  mention  the  names  of 
several  of  the  past  members  of  the  parish  who  "  let 
their  light  so  shine  before  men  as  to  glorify  our  Fa- 
ther in  heaven."  But  we  could  hardly  do  this  with- 
out appearing  invidious.  But  there  is  one  whose 
niuiie  we  may  recall  without  liability  to  such  objec- 
tion, because  of  the  peculiar  incidents  of  her  history ; 
whose  life  exemplified  those  traits  of  a  solid  and 
efTective  but  unobtrusive  piety,  which  had  character- 
ized many  of  her  relatives  and  fellow  members. 

MRS.    ELIZABETH   NICHOLS. 

October  24,  1858,  the  remains  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Nichols  were  laid  in  St.  George's  churchyard.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  Mrs.  Abigail  Smyth,  who  in 
1828  bequeathed  $1000  towards  the  support  of  the 
Rector  of  St.  George's.  Her  father  was  Captain 
John  Ferdinand  Stuart  Smyth,  or  Smyth-Stuart,  for 
he  used  both  forms  of  cognomen,  and  claimed  to  be 
a  descendant  of  the  Duke  of  Monmouth,  son  of 
Cliarles  II.  He  was  Captain  o^  the  Queen's  Ran- 
gers, and  was  stationed  on  Long  Island,  where  he 
married  Miss  Abigail,  daughter  of  LefTert  Lefferts,  a 
staunch  Churchman,  and  Warden  of  St.  George's 
Church  from    1746  to    1788.     Mr.  Lefferts,  who  was. 

*  "Non  loquimur    magna,  sed    vivimus/'  de   Bono   Patientise; 


Mrs.  Elizabeth  Nichols.  279 

of  Dutch  descent,  was  also  called  "  Haugewout ;"  and 
by  this  title  he  is  commonly  mentioned  in  the  Parish 
Records.  The  name  is  said  to  have  been  derived 
from  the  residence  of  his  ancestors,  **  Haugewood," 
on  the  Hague. 

Captain  (Stuart)  Smyth  was  married  to  Miss  Lef- 
ferts,  Oct.  23,  1778,  by  the  Rev.  John  Bowden,  chap- 
lain of  Gen.  De  Lancey's  brigade.  The  connection 
was  not  agreeable  to  Mr.  Lefferts,  who  foresaw  that 
at  the  termination  of  the  war  his  daughter  would 
probably  be  separated  from  her  husband.  Such 
separation  took  place  sooner  than  he  anticipated. 
The  year  after  his  marriage  Captain  Smyth  embarked 
for  England  with  the  ostensible  purpose  of  presenting 
to  the  Government  his  claims  to  be  recompensed  for 
losses  of  property  in  Virginia  he  had  sustained  for 
adhering  to  the  Crown  against  the  Colonies.  If  he 
made  such  claims,  they  were  unsuccessful.  Mrs. 
Smyth,  on  her  husband's  departure,  returned  to  her 
father's  house,  and  there,  May  4,  1780,  was  born  a 
daughter,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

For  sixteen  years  after  his  departure,  nothing  was 
heard  of  Captain  Smyth.  His  statement  afterwards 
was  that  he  had  often  written,  but  having  no  replies 
to  his  letters,  and  some  reason  to  think  his  wife  was 
dead,  he  had  married  again  in  England. 

When  Miss  Elizabeth  Smyth  was  seventeen  years 
old,  her  father  visited  New  York  and  sought  her  out. 
Learning  that  she  was  visiting  a  friend  in  New  York 
city,  he  called  on  her,  and  met  at  the  same  time  his 
deserted  wife.  The  incidents  of  this  painful  inter- 
view we  pass  over.      The  effect  upon  Mrs.  Smyth  was 


:28o  S^.  Georges  Church. 

only  to  open  anew  the  wound  which  preyed  upon  her 
spirits.  After  Captain  Smyth  returned  to  England, 
he  occasionally  wrote  to  his  daughter.  He  died  in 
London,  December,  1814. 

On  the  30th  of  March,  1802,  Miss  Smyth  was 
married  to  Mr.  Gideon  Nichols,  by  the  Rev.  Seth 
Hart.  A  few  years  after  this  Mrs.  Nichols  became 
conscious  of  a  defect  in  her  hearing,  which  resulted 
in  total  deafness.  But  her  ability  to  speak  she  never 
lost;  and  being  able  to  discern  what  others  said  by 
the  movement  of  their  lips,  she  was  not  deprived  en- 
tirely of  the  privileges  of  social  intercourse.  But  she 
was  excluded  from  a  full  participation  in  the  Church 
services,  and  this  was  a  great  grief  to  her.  The  por- 
tions of  the  services  she  could  unite  in  she  used  with 
fervor.  Her  appreciation  of  the  advantages  of  a  Lit- 
urg>'  was  thus  declared.  Visiting  a  relative  belong- 
ing to  the  Society  of  Quakers,  she  accepted  an 
invitation  to  accompany  her  to  their  place  of  worship. 
There  was  a  '' silent  meeting."  On  their  return 
home  her  friend  remarked  to  her  that  she  must  feel 
that  their  mode  of  worship  suited  her  best,  for  they 
all  hear  alike  on  that  occasion.  No,  Mrs.  Nichols 
replied,  she  was  more  than  ever  convinced  that  the 
Church  to  which  she  belonged  was  best  adapted  to 
her  case ;  for  when  with  the  Quakers  and  others,  she 
knew  not  whether  any  one  was  speaking  or  not ;  but 
with  the  Prayer  Book  before  her,  she  could  join  with 
the  other  worshippers  of  the  congregation  almost  as 
well  as  those  who  could  hear  around  her. 

In  1843  she  was  made  greatly  happy  in  seeing  her 


Mrs  Elizabeth  Nichols,  281 

youngest  son,  the  Rev.  Edwin  A.  Nichols,  admitted 
to  Holy  Orders. 

Mrs.  Nichols  exemplified  in  every  way  a  mortal 
can,  deep  and  heartfelt  love  to  her  Lord.  Her  reli- 
gion was  wrought  into  the  very  warp  and  woof  of 
her  daily  life  and  conversation.  As  truly  as  any  of 
the  saints  whom  the  Church  deHghts  to  remember, 
she  "walked  with  Christ." 

At  her  funeral,  in  October,  1858,  as  the  coffin 
reposed  in  front  of  the  chancel,  the  image  of  the  dove 
with  outspread  wings,  in  the  colored  glass  window  in 
the  chancel,  was  reflected  upon  the  plate  of  the  coffin- 
lid,  on  which  was  inscribed  : 

''Elizabeth  Nichols — Aged  jZ — Asleep  in  Jesus'' 

The  observant  eye  of  one  of  her  daughters  noticed 
this  prophetic  sign,  and  in  the  following  lines  gave 
expression  to  the  thoughts  and  emotions  it  awakened* 

Thy  form  was  borne,  O  mother  dear, 

Where  late  thy  steps  had  gladly  trod, 
And  placed,  from  oflf  the  sable  bier, 

Within  the  hallowed  house  of  God. 

W^ithout  the  rude  winds  raged  and  sighed, 
But  all  seemed  sheltering  peace  within  ; 

So  shall  their  souls  m  peace  abide, 

W^hom  Christ  receives,  secure  from  sin. 

Then  rose  the  strains  of  praise  and  prayer. 

And  words  of  cheering  hope  were  said 
By  priest  and  people  gathered  there 

To  honor  the  lamented  dead. 

To  me  the  preacher's  voice  was  mute,* 
And  grief  of  bitter  sorrow  told  ; 


The  daughter  shared  in  defect  of  hearing. 


282  S^.  Georges   Church, 

Yet,  dearer  than  the  sound  of  lute, 

Sweet  thoughts  were  on  my  spirit  rolled. 

For  while  I  sat  with  tearful  gaze 

Fixed  ever  on  the  coffin  lid, 
Which  henceforth,  through  my  lonely  days, 

From  me  life's  dearest  object  hid  : 

Then,  from  the  pictured  height  above, 

Soft  gleams  of  light  upon  thy  name 
Reflected  fell  ;  the  mirrored  dove 

Around  it  shed  a  beauteous  flame, 

And  trusting  hope  came  whispering  near, 

Behold  a  token  thus  displayed, — 
Her  soul  whose  name  is  graven  here, 

In  God's  pure  light  is  now  arrayed. 

It  is  to  be  added  that  this  daughter  has  consecrated 
of  her  means  a  fund  with  which  is  built  the  chapel  of 
St.  John's  Hospital,  of  the  Church  Charity  Founda- 
tion of  Long  Island,  in  Brooklyn,  as  a  memorial  of 
her  mother. 

It  remains  to  be  stated,  in  conclusion,  that  the  in- 
stitution of  the  compiler  of  this  history  into  the 
rectorship  of  St.  George's  Church,  took  place  on 
Tuesday,  November  13th,  1849,  the  Rev.  Samuel  R. 
Johnson,  D.D.,  Professor  in  the  General  Theological 
Seminary,  acting  as  institutor  by  request  of  the  Stand- 
ing Committee  of  the  Diocese  of  New  York.  The 
sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  B.  C.  Cutler,  D.D., 
Rector  of  St.  Ann's  Church,  Brooklyn,  the  Rev.  Wm. 
L.  Johnson,  D.D.,  of  Grace  Church,  Jamaica,  and  the 
Rev.  George  Shelton,  of  St.  James'  Church,  New- 
town, being  present  and  assisting.  The  keys  were 
delivered  by  Mr.  John  Bedell,  Senior  Warden. 


APPENDIX   A. 


CHURCHYARDS. 


ST.     GEORGE'S,     HEMPSTEAD. 

1. 

I  never  can  see  a  churchyard  old, 

"With  its  mossy  stones  and  mounds. 
And  green  trees  weeping  the  unforgot 

That  rest  in  its  hallowed  bounds; 
I  never  can  see  the  old  churchyard, 

But  I  breathe  to  God  a  prayer. 
That,  sleep  as  I  may  in  this  fevered  life, 

I  may  rest  when  I  slumber  there. 

2. 
Our  mother,  the  Earth,  hath  a  cradle-bed 

Where  she  gathereth  sire  and  son, 
And  the  old  world's  fathers  are  pillowed  there, 

Her  children,  every  one  ! 
And  her  cradle  it  hath  a  dismal  name, 

When  riseth  the  banquet's  din, 
And  pale  is  the  cheek  at  dance  or  wine, 

If  a  song  of  its  sleep  break  in. 

3. 

But  our  Mother  the  Church  hath  a  gentle  nest, 
Where  the  Lord's  dear  children  lie. 

And  its  name  is  sweet  to  a  Christian  ear, 
As  a  motherly  lullaby. 


284  '  Appendix  A. 

Oh  the  green  churchyard,  the  green  churchyard, 

Is  the  couch  she  spreads  for  all; 
And  she  layeth  the  cottager's  baby  there, 

With  the  lord  of  the  tap'stry  hall  I 

4. 
Our  Mother,  the  Church,  hath  never  a  child 

To  honor  before  the  rest, 
But  she  siugetb  the  same  for  mighty  kings 

And  the  veriest  babe  on  her  breast; 
And  the  bishop  goes  down  to  his  narrow  bed 

As  the  ploughman's  child  is  laid, 
And  alike  she  blesseth  the  dark-browed  serf 

And  the  chief  in  his  robe  arrayed. 

5. 

She  sprinkles  the  drops  of  the  bright  new-birth 

The  same  on  the  low  and  the  high. 
And  christens  their  bodies  with  dust  to  dust, 

When  earth  with  its  earth  must  lie; 
Oh.  the  poor  man's  friend  is  the  Church  of  Christ, 

From  birth  to  his  funeral  day; 
She  makes  him  the  Lord's,  in  her  surpliced  arms, 

And  singeth  his  burial  lay. 

6. 
And  ever  the  bells  in  the  green  churchyard 

Are  tolling,  to  tell  ye  this; 
Go  pray  in  the  church,  while  pray  ye  can. 

That  so  ye  may  sleep  in  bliss. 
And  wise  is  he  in  the  glow  of  life 

Who  weaveth  his  shroud  of  rest, 
And  graveth  it  plain  on  his  coffin-plate, 

That  the  dead  in  Christ  are  blest. 


I  never  can  see  a  green  churchyard 
But  I  think  I  may  slumber  there, 

And  I  wonder  wuthin  me  what  strange  disease 
Shall  bring  me  to  homes  so  fair; 


Churchyards,  285 


And  whether  in  breast,  in  brain,  or  blood, 

There  lurkefch  a  secret  sore. 
Or  whether  this  heart,  so  warm  and  full. 

Hath  a  worm  in  its  inmost  core. 

8.     • 
For  I  know,  ere  long,  some  limb  of  mine 

To  the  rest  may  traitor  prove, 
And  steal  from  the  strong  young  frame  I  wear, 

The  generous  flush  I  love : 
I  know  I  may  burn  into  ashes  soon, 

With  this  feverish  flame  of  life ; 
Or  the  flickering  lamp  may  soon  blaze  out, 

With  its  dying  self  at  strife. 

9. 
And  here — I  think — when  they  lay  me  down 

How  strange  will  my  slumber  be, 
The  cold  cold  clay  for  my  dreamless  head, 

And  the  turf  for  my  canopy ; 
How  stilly  will  creep  the  long  long  years 

O'er  my  quiet  sleep  away. 
And  oh,  what  a  waking  that  sleep  shall  know, 

At  the  peal  of  the  Judgment-Day  I 

10. 
Up — up  from  the  graves  and  the  clods  around 

The  quickened  bones  will  stare; 
I  know  that  within  this  green  churchyard 

A  host  shall  be  born  to  air; 
A  thousand  shall  struggle  to  earth  agen, 

From  under  the  sods  I  tread: 
Oh,  strange — thrice  strange,  shall  the  story  be 

Of  the  field  where  they  lay  the  dead  ! 

11. 
Oh,  bury  me,  then,  in  the  green  churchyard, 

As  my  old  forefathers  rest, 
Nor  lay  me  in  cold  Necropolis, 

'Mid  many  a  grave  unblest ; 


J2S6  Appendix  A. 


I  would  sleep  where  the  church-bells  aye  ring  out 
I  would  rise  by  the  house  of  prayer, 

And  feel  me  a  moment  at  home,  on  earth, 
For  the  Christian's  home  is  there, 

12. 

I  never  loved  cities  of  living  men, 

And  towns  of  the  dead  I  hate ; 
Oh  let  me  rest  in  the  churchyard  then, 

And  hard  by  the  church's  gate ; 
'Tis  there  I  pray  to  my  Saviour  Christ, 

And  I  will,  till  mine  eye  is  dim. 
That,  sleep  as  I  may  in  this  fevered  life, 

I  may  rest,  at  last,  in  Him. 


APPENDIX   B. 


LIST    OF  WARDENS  AND  VESTRYMEN.— PERIOD    OF 
CONTINdANCE     IN    OFFICE. 


*  indicates  "still  in  office. 


Alburtis,  Joseph,  1755-1767. 
Baldwin,  Isaac,  1763-1765. 

Baldwin,  George,  1784-1787. 
Barroll,  VV.  H.,  1835-1837. 

Brown,  John,  1749-1754. 

Berrian,  William,  1860-1861. 
Bedell,  John,  1840-1863. 

Carman,  Samuel,  1789-1817. 
Carman,  Stephen,  1820-1824. 
Clowes,  Ed.  A.,  1825-1831. 

Clowes,  Thomas,  1787-1824. 
Clowes,  John,  1829-1838. 

Clowes,  Wm.  J.,         1837-1839. 
Clowes,  Th.  H.,*         1877 
Cornell,  John,  1736-1743. 

Cornell,  William,  1736-1741. 
Dorland,  John,  1745-1749. 

Denton,  Charles,  1840-1878. 
Dannat,  W.  H.,  1861-1866. 

Gildersleeve,  James,  1799-1834. 
Gildersleeve,  Jon  a'li,  1 849-1863. 
Haugewout,  Leffert,   (Lefferts,) 

1746-1788. 
Hewlett,  Richard,  1783-1786. 
Hewlett,  George,  1786-1818. 
Hewlett,  Benjamin.  1788-1809. 
Hewlett,  Richard,  Jr.  1816-1834. 
Hewlett,  Benj.,  Jr.,  1818-1825. 
Hewlett,  John  J.,  1828-1835. 
Hewlett,  t>amuel,  1849-1868, 
Hewlett,  Whiteliead  H., 

1854-1857. 
Hentz,  John  H.,*       1867 
Jones,  David  R.  F.,    1825-1826. 
Kissam,  Joseph,         1751-1761. 
Kissam,  Daniel,  1788-1799. 

Kissam,  John,  1814-1819. 

Lott,  Hermones,  1811-1816. 
Ludlow,  Georo-e  D.,  1781-1781. 
Martin,  Sam'l,^  M.D.,  1770-1791. 


Marvin,  Robert, 
Marvin,  Harry  H., 
Mitchell,  William, 
Moore,  John, 
Monroe,  G.  G., 


1739-1774. 
1836-1863. 
1809-1819. 
1797-1816. 
18^)3-1864. 


Onderdonk,  Andrew, 
Onderdonk,Hen'yM., 
Peters,  John, 
Pettit,  Lewis, 
Pottit,  Townsend  B., 
Pine,  Daniel, 
Pine,  Kichard, 
Pratt,  Jouathan, 
Rhodes,  William, 
Rockwell,  James, 
Roebuck,  Jarvis, 
Rushmore,  Lewis, 
Searing,  John, 
Seaman,  Samuel  L.* 
Seabury,  Robert  S., 
Seabury,  Adam,* 
Smith,   Micah, 
Smith,  Jacob, 
Smith,  John, 
Smith,  Joseph, 
Smith,  James, 
Snedeker,  Abraham, 
Snedeker,  Isaac, 
Thorne,  Richard, 
Thome,  Richard. 
Tredwell,  Benjamin, 
Tredwpll,  Benjamin, 
Turner,  Jaiues, 
Valentine,  Jacob, 
Valentine,  Samuel, 
Vaunost  rand,  Cornel. 
Vannostrand,  John, 
Vannostraud ,  Martin , 
Vannostrand, George, 
Walters,  Henry. 
Watt,  George, 
Webb,Edwin,M.D,,* 
Weeks,  George, 
Weeks,  Thos.  W., 
Waller,  A.  N.,* 
Wetmore,  Samuel, 
Willits,  David  B., 
Wood,  James, 
Wood,  Samuel, 
Willis,  John,* 


1789-1797. 

*1877 

1752-1779. 

1830-1857. 

1857-1880. 

1750  1762. 

1823-1829. 

1768-1782. 

1837-1852. 

1764-1765. 

1782-1783. 

1834-1860. 

1744-1745. 

1831, 

1863-1877. 

1877 

1736-1746. 

1736-1745. 

1747-1749. 

1737-1747. 

1763-1765. 

1816-1820. 

1819-1822. 

1737-1763. 

1795-1814. 

1739-1744. 

1837-1848. 

1766-1780. 

1864-1877. 

1826-1849. 

1765-1785. 

1769-1770. 

1780-1789. 

1834-1849. 

1863-1873. 

1766-1784. 

1862 

1786-1795. 

1825-1830. 

1880 

1785-1787. 

1852-1854. 

1751-1789. 

1817-1828. 

1878 


Mulford,  Charles W., 1^73-187 


APPENDIX   C 


PATENT    AND     CHARTER 
ST.     GEORGE'S    CHURCH,     HEMPSTEAD, 

GRANTED   BY   KING   GEORGE    II.  IN    1 73  5. 

GEORGE  THE  SECOND,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of 
Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland  King,  Defender  of  the 
Faith,  &c, — TO  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  greet- 
ing :  WHEREAS,  We  have  been  Informed  by  the  Humble 
Names  of  Petition  of  our  Loving  Subjects,  the  Rev.  Robert  Jenny, 
■  Rector,  and  John  Cornell,  William  Cornell,  Joseph  Smith, 
Thomas  Williams,  Jacob  Smith,  and  Richard  Thome,  Esq., 
Micah  Smith,  Robert  Sutton,  James  Pine,  Sen.,  John  Roe, 
Thomas  Gildersleeve,  George  Gildersleeve,  John  Cornell, 
Jr.,  Peter  Smith,  Silas  Smith,  Joseph  Thorne,  Esq.,  Joseph 
Langdon,  James  Albertus,  Thomas  Lee,  Robert  Marvin, 
William  Langdon,  Daniel  Hewlit,  George  Balden,  Timothy 
Smith,  Joseph  Mott,  Geradus  Clowes,  James  Hugins,  Jaka- 
miah  Mitchell,  Peter  Smith,  Jr.,  Charles  Peters,  Richard 
Cornell,  Jr.,  Thomas  Cornell,  Jr.,  William  Cornell,  Jr., 
and  Isaac  Germon,  Inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Hempstead, 
in  Queens  County,  presented  to  our  Trusty  and  well-belov- 
ed William  Cosby,  Esq.,  our  Captain-Gener.'il  and  Gover- 
nour-in-Chief  of  our  Provinces  of  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
and  Territories  thereon  Depending  in  America,  Vice-Admi- 
ral  of  the  same  and  Colonel  in  our  Army,  &c.  That  by  the 
Countenance  and  Approbation  of  our  said  Governour  they 
bad  lately  by  Voluntary  Contributions  Erected  and  Built  a. 


Patent   and   Charter,  289 

New  Church  in  the  said  Parish,  and  the  same  had  Dedicated 

to  the  Service  and  worship  of  God,  according  to  the  Rites 

and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  estalj- 

lished,  by  the  name  of  Saint  George's  Church,  which  Church  Church 

they  hold  and  enjoy,  together  with  a  parsonage  House  and  gj^ij^^  ^"j^y. 

Glebe  Lands  in  the  said  Parish,  but  that  for  want  of  their  pied,  but 
,     .        ^  ,    ,  1  1        /•  T-.        •    •  no  Incor- 

bemg  Incorporated  they  are  not  capable  of  Receivmg  or  ac-  poration, 

cepting  such  Donations  as  Pious  Design'd  persons  were  or  ^"'  needed.- 

may  be  disposed  to  give  unto  them,  or  of  purchasing  any 

Lands  or  Tenements  for  the  use  of  the  said  Church,  or  of 

Transacting  and  carrying  on  the  affairs  and  business  thereof 

in  such  advantagious  and  beneficial  manner  as  otherwise  they 

might  do:  Wherefore,  to  the  End  the  said  Petitioners  and 

their  Successors  may  be  Secured  in  the  quiet  and  peaceable 

Possession  and  enjoyment  of  the  said  Church,  Parsonage  and 

Glebe  Lands,  and  also  erected  and  made  a  Body  Politick  Petition 

for  Incor« 
and  Corporate,  the  better  to  manage  and  carry  on  the  affairs  poration 

and  business  of  the  said  Church  to  and  for  the  Glory  of  God  considered, 
and  the  pious  uses  intended  thereby,  they  prayed  our  Roy- 
al Grant  and  Confirmation  of  the  said  Church,  Parsonage 
and  Glebe  Lands,  and  that  they  and  all  other  the  Commun- 
icants of  the  said  Church  may  be  Incorporated  into  a  Body 
Politick  and  Corporate  in  Deed,  fact  and  name,  by  the  name 
and  Stile  of  the  Rector  and  Inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Hemp- 
stead,  in  Queens  County,  on  Long  Island,  in  Communion  of 
the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established:  And  that,  as 
such  and  by  that  name  they  and  their  Successors  may  have, 
hold,  use,  occupy  and  enjoy  all  the  Rights,  benefits,  advan- 
tages, privileges,  immunities  and  appurtenances  as  are  usually  ?j|^*S** 
ield  and  enjoyed  by  any  parochial  Church  within  the  Realm 
of  England,  and  we  being  willing  to  give  all  due  encourage- 
ment and  promotion  to  the  pious  intentions  of  our  said  Sub- 
jects and  to  grant  this  their  reasonable  request  in  that  be- 
halfe  made:  KNOW  YE,  that  we  of  our  Especial  Grace, 
certain  knowledge  and  meer  motion,  HAVE  made.  Ordain- 
ed  Constituted  and  Declared,  and  by  these  presents  for  us, 

our  Heirs  and  Successors,  DO  make,  Ordain,  Constitute,  ^^  , 

Names  of 
Grant  and  Declare,  That  the  said  Robert  Jenny,  John  Cor-  Incorpora- 

nell,  William  Cornell,  Joseph    Smith,    Thomas    Williams,  *°"* 

Jacob  Smith,  Richard  Thorne,  Micah  Smith,  Robert  Sutton, 

James  Pine,  Sen.,  John  Roe,  Thomas  Gildersleeve,  George 

n 


290  Appendix  C, 

Gildersleeve,  John  Cornell,  Jr.,  Peter  Smith,  Silas  Smith, 
Joseph  Thorne,  Joseph  Langdon,  James  Albertus,  Thomas 
Lee,  Robert   Marvin,  William   Langdon,  Daniel   Hewlitt, 
George   Balden,  Timothy   Smith,   Joseph    Mott,    Geradus 
Clowes,  James  Hugins,  Jakamiah  Mitchell,  Peter    Smith, 
Jr.,  Charles  Peters,  Richard  Cornell,  Jr.,    Thomas   Cornell, 
Jr.,  William  Cornell,  Jr. ,  and  Isaac  Germon,  and  the  rest  of 
the  Communicants  of  the  said  Church  in  the  Parish  of  Hemp- 
stead  aforesaid,  be,  and   they   and   their   Successors,  Com- 
municants of  the  said  Church,  shall    be   from   time   to   time 
Decree  of   and  at  all  times  forever  hereafter  a  Body  Corporate  and  poi- 
son, itick  in  Deed,  fact  and  name,  by  the  name  of  the  Rector  and 
Lahabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Hempstead,  in  .Queens  County, 
on  Long  Island,  in  Communion  of  the  Church  of  England 
as  by  law  established,  and  them  and  their  Successors,  Com- 
municants of  the  said  Church,  by  the  name  of  the  Rector  and 
Inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Hempstead,  in  Queens  County, 
on  Long  Island,   in  Communion  of  the  Church  of  England 
as  by  Law  established,  One  Body  Politick  and  Corporate  in. 
Deed,  Fact  and  name,  really  and  fully   we   do   for   us,  our 
Heirs  and  Successors,  Erect,  make,  Constitute  Declare  and 
Create  by  these  presents:  And  that  by  the  same  name  they  and 
Inaoe^'on  ^^^^^  Successors  sliall  and  may  have  perpetual  Succession,  and 
shall  and  may  be  responsible  and  Capable   in  the    Law  to 
Sue  and  be  Sued,  to  Implead  and  be  Impleaded,  to  Answer 
and  be  Answered  unto,  to  Defend  and  be  Defended  in  all 
Courts  and  Elsewhere   in   all   and   Singular   Suits,    Causes, 
Quarrels,  matters,  Actions,  Demands  and  things,  of  what  nat- 
Maintain     ure  or  kind  soever.     AND  ALSO,  that  they  and  their  Suc- 
"'^  cessors  by  the  same  name  be  and  shall  be  forever  hereafter 
Capable  and  able  in  the  Law  to  take.  Accept  of,  Acquire 
and  purchase,  Receive,  Have,  Hold  and  Enjoy  in  fee  for- 
ever, or  for  Life  or  Lives,  or  for  Years,  or  in  any  other  man- 
Rights  to    ner,  any  messuages.  Buildings,  Houses,  Lands,  Tenements, 
dispose  of   Hereditaments  and  Real  Estate,  and  the  same  to  Lease  or 
real  estate,  j^gj^^^gg  f-Qj.  Qj^g  qj.  more  years,  or  to  Grant,  Alien,  Bargain,. 
Sell  and  Dispose  of  for  Life  or  Lives  or  forever,  under  cer- 
tain yearly  rents:  AND  also  to  accept  of,  take,  possess  and 
purchase  any  Goods,  Chattels  or  personal  Estate,  and  the 
same  to  Hire,  Lett,  Sell  or  dispose  of  at  their  Will  and  pleas- 
ure,   and  all  this  as   fully  as  any  other  Corporation  or  Body 


Patent  and  Charter.  291 

politick  within  that  part  of  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain 
-called  England,  or  this  our  Province  of  New  York  may  Law- 
fully Do:     PROVIDED,  That    such    messuages  and  Real    . 
—  ,  ,    •    r.  1    11  1  1  Limit  of  in- 

Estate  as  they  or  their  Successors  shall  have  or  may  be  en-  come  from 

titled  unto  shall  not   at  any  one  time  Exceed   the   Yearly  ''^^^  estate. 
Rent  of  Two  Hundred  Pounds,  Current  Money  of  our  said 
Province,  over  and  above  the   Church  and   the   Ground  on 
-which  the  same  stands,    and    Parsonage   and    Glebe  Lands 
hereinafter  mentioned.   AMD  FURTHER,  we  do  will  and 
Grant  that  the  said  Rector  and  Inhabitants   and   their   Suc- 
•cessors  shall  and  may  Forever  hereafter  have  a  Common  Seal 
to  Serve  and  use  for  all  matters,  causes,    things    and    afifairs  Seal, 
whatsoever,  of  them  and  their  Successors,   and  full  power 
and  Authority  to  break,  alter,  Change  and  New-make  the 
same  or  any  other  Common  Seal  from  time  to  time  at   their 
will  and  pleasure  as  they  shall  think  fit.     AND    FURTH- 
ER, We  Will  and  Ordain  and  by  these  presents  for  us  our 
Heirs   and  Successors,  Do  Declare  and  Appoint  that  for  the 
better  Ordering  and  managing  the   Affairs  and   Business  of 
the  said  Corporation,  there  shall  be  One  Rector  or  Parochial  Rector. 
Minister  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  Law  Established, 
duly  Qualified  for  the  Care  of  Souls;  Two  Church  Wardens,  Church 
and  a  number  of  Vestry  Men  from  time  to  time  Constituted,  hardens. 
Elected  and  Chosen  in  Manner  and  form  as  is  hereafter  in 
these  presents  Expressed:  Which  Vestry  Men,  or  the  Major 
■part  of  them,  and  the  Two  Church  Wardens,  or  one  of  them 
"together  with  the  Rector   for   the   time   being,  shall   apply  Duties  of 
themselves  to  take  care   for  the  best    Disposing,    Governing  *■  ^  *^estry, 
and  Ordering  the  General  Business  and  affairs  of  and  con- 
cerning said  Church  and  of  and  Concerning  all  Such  Lands, 
Tenements,  Hereditaments,    Real  and   personal   Estate   as 
shall  or  may  be    acquired  as  aforesaid  ;  and  for  the  better 
Execution  of  our  Royall  will  and  pleasure  herein,  we   do 
for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  Assign,  name,  Constitute 
and  Confirm  the  said  Robert  Jenny  to  be  the  present  Rector 
or  Parochial  Minister  of  the  said  Church  and  Parish  dureing 
his  Natural  Life  and  Residence  in  the   same   Parish  ;    and  Rector, 
the  said  John  Cornell  and  Micah   Smith   to  be  the  present  Wardens, 

Church  Wardens  of  the  said  Church;  and  the  said  William  ^"d  Vestry. 

men  ap- 
Cornell,    Jacob    Smith,     Richard    Thome,   James    Pme,  pointed. 

'Joseph  Smith,  Robert  Sutton,  Robert  Marvin,  Thomas  Wil- 


^92  Appe7idix  C 

liams,  together  with  John  Syron  and  Benjamin  Tredwell, 
to  be  the  Vestrymen  of  the  said  Church;  which  said  Church 
Wardens  and  Vestry  Men  are  to  Continue  in  the   said  Sev- 

service.  eral  Offices  During  their  Respective  Life-times,  or  untill 
others  be  duly  Chosen  in-  their  Rooms  in  such  mannour  as 
is  hereinafter  expressed;  they,  the  said  Church  Wardens 
and  Vestry  Men  hereby  appointed,  havmg  been  the  Mana- 
gers and  been  at  great  Trouble,  Loss  ot  time  and  Expense 
in  Carrying  on  the  work  and  building  of  the  said  Cliurch. 
AND  FURTHER,  we  do  will,  and  by  these  presents  for 
us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  Do  Ordain,  appoint  and  di- 
rect that  the  Rector  of  the  said  Church  for  the  time  being 
or  in  his  Absence  by  Sickness,  one  Church   Warden  for  the 

together,  time  being  by  Consent  of  the  Rector  shall  and  may  from 
time  :o  time  upon  all  Occasions  Assemble  and  call  together 
the  siiid  Cliurch  Wardens  or  one  of  them  and  Vestry  Men 
for  the  time  being  or  the  Greater  Number  of  them  to  Con- 
sult, advise  and  do  the  Business  and  affairs  of  the  said 
Church  and  to  hold  Vestrys  for  that  purpose,  and  in  Case 
it  should  so  happen  that  there  should  be  a  vacancy  of  a 
Rector,  or  that  the  Rector  for  the  time  being  should  absent 
himself  from  his  said  Parish,  then  and  in  either  of  Such 
Cases  during  such  vacancy  or  absence,  the  Church  W^aidens 
for  the  time  being  or  one  of  them  may  call  and  hold  such 
Vestrys  as  the  Rector  might  Do.  AND  FURTHER,  our 
will  and  pleasure  is  and  we  do  for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Suc- 
cessors Establish,  appoint  and  Direct  That  after  any  Four 
of  the  said  Vestry  Men  hereby  appointed  as  Vestry  Men  as 
aforesaid   shall   happen   to   Dye,  be  removed,  or  refuse   to 

V^"ymen  ^^^  ^^  such,  then  that  the  Number  of  Vestry  Men  of  and 
for  the  said  Church  forever  thereafter  shall  not  consist  of 
any  more  or  greater  number  than  Six,  and  after  the  said 
number  hereby  appointed  Vestry  Men  shall  be  so  Reduced 
to  Six,  then  and  in  such  case  if  any  of  the  said  number 
shall  happen  to  Dye,  be  Lawfully  removed,  or  voluntary 
remove  themselves,  or  refuse  to  act  as  aforesaid,  then  the 
number  of  such  Vestry  Men  so  Dying,  removeing  orrefuse- 
ing  to  act  shall  be  Chosen  and  made  up  out  of  the  Com- 
municants of  the  said  Church  by  the  greater  vote  of  the 
Communicants  of  the  said  Church  and  of  the  Petitioners 
herein  before  particularly   named,  and  that   always  withir 


Patent  and  Charter,  293 

one  month  after  such  Dyeing,  Removal  or  Refusal  afore-  Vacancies, 
said,  and  this  so  long  as  any  of  the  said  Six  Vestry  Men 
shall  Live  or  remain  of  the  Vestry  ;  and  in  case  the  present 
Church  Wardens,  or  either  of  them,  or  the  Church  Wardens 
for  the  time  being,  or  either  of  them,  shall  happen  to  Dye, 
remove  or  refuse  to  Act  in  the  office  of  Church  Wardens, 
then  and  in  such  Case  the  said  Office  shall  be  filled  and 
supplyed  out  of  the  number  of  the  Vestry  Men  then  being 
by  the  Greater  Vote  of  the  Vestry  and  Petitioners  aforesaid, 
and  that  within  One  Month  after  such  Vacancy.  AND 
FURTHER,  our  will  and  pleasure  is  and  we  do  for  us,  our 
Heirs  and  Successors  Establish,  appoint  and  Direct  that 
from  and  after  the  Death,  Removeal  or  Refuseal  to  act  of 
the  several  Vestry  Men  herein  before  named  and  appointed 
Vestry  Men  as  aforesaid,  then  and  from  thenceforth  the 
Choice  as  well  of  the  Vestry  Men  as  of  the  Church  Wardens  ^"J.;jJ  ^^ 
for  the  said  Church  shall  be  annual,  and  that  Yearly,  Once  Vestrymen, 
in  the  Year  forever  thereafter,  that  is  to  say,  on  Tuesday 
in  Witsunweek  in  every  year,  at  the  said  Church,  the  Com- 
municants of  the  said  Church  for  the  time  being,  or  the 
Major  part  of  them  then  present,  shall  Elect,  Chuse  and 
appoint  Two  of  the  Communicants  of  the  said  Church  to 
be  Church  Wardens  and  Six  other  Communicants  of  the 
said  Church  to  be  Vestry  Men  for  the  Ensueing  year,  which 
Church  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  so  Chosen  and  hereafter 
to  be  Chosen,  shall  Immediately  Enter  upon  their  Respec- 
tive Offices  from  the  Respective  times  they  shall  be  so 
Chosen  until  other  fit  persons  be  respectively  Elected  in 
their  respective  Rooms  and  places,  and  Shall  and  by  these 
presents  have  full  power  and  Lawful  Authority  to  Do,  Ex- 
ecute and  perform  their  Several  and  respective  Offices  in 
as  full  and  ample  manner  as  any  Church  Wardens  or  Vestry 
Men  in  that  part  of  Great  Britain  called  England  or  this 
Province  have  or  Lawfully  may  do;  and  if  it  shall  happen 
that  any  or  either  of  the  said  Church  Wardens  and  Six 
Vestry  Men  (so  to  be  annually  Elected  after  the  Death  or 
removal  of  the  present  Vestry  Men  as  aforesaid)  shall  Dye, 
or  be  removed,  or  deny,  refuse  or  neglect  to  Officiate  in  the 
said  Respective  Offices  of  Church  Wardens  and  Vestry  Men 
before  their  or  either  of  their  time  for  serving  therein  be  Ex- 
pired, then  and  in  every  such  case  it  shall  and  mav  be  Law- 
13* 


294  Appendix  C 

Filling  va-  full  to  and  for  the  Communicants   of  the   said  Church  foe 
*^*°'^'^^'       the  time  being  or  the  Major  part  of  them  to   proceed   ia 
manner  aforesaid  and  make  a  new  Election  of  one  or  more 
of  their   Communicants   in    the   Room   or   place   of  Such, 
Officer  or  Officers  so  Dying,  or  removeing,  or  denying,  re- 
fuseing  or  neglecting  to  Officiate  in  his  or  their  Respective 
Office  or  Offices  as  aforesaid,  and   so  as   often    as  the    case: 
shall  happen  or  require.    AND  we  Do  for  us,  our  Heirs  and 
Successors  Declare  and  Grant  that  the  Patronage,  Advow^ 
son,  Donation  or  presentation  of  and   to   the  said  Church. 
Rights  ves-  and  Parish  after  the  Decease  or  removal  of  the  sai.l   Robert 
Church        Jenny,  the  present  Rector  thereof,  or  next  avoidance  thereof,, 
a^d'^V^^try-  ^^'^^  appertain  and  belong  to  and  be  hereby  vested  in  the. 
men.  Church  Wardens  and  Vestry  Men  of  Saint  George's,  in  the: 

Parish  of  Hempstead  aforesaid,  for  the  time  being,  and 
their  Successors  forever  or  to  the  Major  part  of  them,  where-^ 
of  One  Church  Warden  always  to  be  one.  AND  WE  do< 
Give  and  Grant  by  these  presents  to  the  said  Rector  and 
Inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Hempstead,  in  Queens  County,, 
on  Long  Island,  in  Communion  of  the  Church  of  England 
Slary'^'^  as  by  Law  Established,  that  the  said  Eobert  Jenny,  the 
present  Rector  of  Saint  George's  Church  aforesaid,  and', 
his  Successors  the  Rectors  or  Ministers  of  the  said  Church,, 
for  the  time  being  shall  have  and  Receive  the  Sura  of  Sixty 
Pounds  Yearly,  to  be  assessed,  Leveyed,  Collected  and! 
paid  by  the  Inhabitants  of  the  precinct  or  Parish  of  Hemp^ 
stead,  in  Queens  County  aforesaid,  for  and  towards  the- 
maintenance  provided  for  by  Two  Acts  of  Assembly  in  our- 
said  province,  the  one  entitled  AN  ACT  for  setling  a 
Ministry  and  raising  a  maintenance  for  them  in  the  City  of" 
New  York,  Counties  of  Richmond,  Westchester,  and 
Queens  County,  and  the  other  entitled  An  Act  for  the- 
better  Explaining  and  more  effectual  putting  in  Execution; 
the  former  act.  AND  our  further  will  and  pleasure  is 
That  it  shall  and  may  be  Lawfull  to  and  for  the  present  or- 
any  other  succeeding  Rector  of  the  said  Church  at  a  Vestry- 
or  meeting  by  and  with  the  Advice  and  Consent  of  the- 
Major  part  of  the  Members  then  present,  to  nominate  and; 
Clerk,  Sex-  appoint  a  Clerke,  Sexton  or  Bellringer  to  and  for  the  said, 
ton,  BeU-  d-i^-ch,  also  a  Clerke  and  Messenger  to  serve  the  said". 
Vestry  at  their  meetings,  and  such  other  under  Officers  as. 


Patent   and  Charter.  295 

they  shall  stand  in  need  of,   to  remain  in  their  respective 
offices  so  long  as  the   said    Rector,  Church  Wardens   and 
Vestry  for  the  time  being  or  the  Major  part  of  them  shall 
think  fit.     AND    WE   do  further  of  our  Especial   Grace, 
certain  knowledge  and  meer  motion,  Give  and  Grant  unto 
the  said    Rector  and    Inhabitants  and    to   their  Successors 
forever,  That  the  Rector,  Church  Wardens,  or  one  of  them, 
and  Vestrymen  of  the  said  Church  for  the  time  being  or  the 
Major  part  of  them  in  Vestry  shall   have  and  have  hereby 
Given  and  Granted  unto  them  full  power  and    authority 
from  time  to  time    and    at   all   times  hereafter,  to   make, 
Ordain  and  Constitute  such  Rules,  Orders  and  Ordinances  Vestry  to 
for  the  Good  Discipline  and  weal  of  the  members  of    the  ^rd'ers^&c! 
said  Church  and  Corporation,  as  they  or  the  Major  part  of 
them  shall  think  fit,  so  that  those    Rules,  Orders  and    Or- 
dinances be  not  repugnant  to  the  Laws  of  that  part  of  our 
Kingdom  of  Great  Britain    called  England,  or  of  this   our 
Province,  but  as  near  as  may  be  agreeable  thereto,  which 
Rules  and  Ordess  shall  be  from  time  to  time  fairly  entered 
in  a  Book  or  Books  to  be    kept   for   that   purpose.     AND 
FURTf lER  KNOW  YE,    that  we  of  our  more  abundant 
Grace,  certain  Knowledge  and  meer  motion,  HAVE  Given, 
Granted,  Ratified  and  Confirmed,  and  by  these  presents  for 
us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  Doe  Give,  Grant,  Ratifie  and 
Confirm  unto  the  said  Rector  and  Inhabitants  of  the  Parish 
of  Hempstead,  in  Communion  of  the  Church  of  England   as 
by  Law  Established,  and  their  Successors,  ALL   That  the 
said  Church  and  Ground  on  which   the   same  stands,  and  land"mi 
which  Doth  belong  to  the  same,   containing  in  the  whole  chjfr^h 
Halfe  an  acre  of  Land.     AND  ALSO  all  that  Parsonage  stands. 
House  and  Land  commonly   called  the   Parsonage   Iljme 
Lott,  situated  and  being  in  the   Townspott   of  Hempstead  Giving  Par- 
aforesaid,  now  in  the  possession  of  the  said  Robert  Jenny,  ^*^"'^^^  °'* 
containing  about  Three  acres  and  a  half  of  Land,   to  and 
for  the  use  of  the  said  Robert  Jenny  and  hi:;  Successors  for 
ever  Rectors  of  the  said  Church  :    TO  HAVE  AND  TO 
HOLD  all  and    singular  the   Premises  aforesaid  with  the 
appurtenances  unto  them  the  said    Rector  and  Inhabitants 
of  the  Parish   of  Hempr-tead,  in   Queens  County,    on  Long 
Island,  in  Communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  Law 
Established,  and  their    Successors,   TO  their  only    proper 


290 


Appendix  C 


Rental 
therefor. 


Re-affirm- 
ing grant. 


How  to  be  use  and  behoofe  for  ever  ;  TO  BE  HOLDEN  of  us,   our 
^    *  Heirs  and  Successors,  in  free  and  Common  Socage  as  of  our 

Mannor  of  East  Greenwich,  in  the  County  of  Kent,  within 
that  part  of  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  called  England  t 
YIELDING,  Rendering  and  paying  therefore  Yearly  and 
every  Year  for  ever  unto  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  on 
the  Feast  Day  of  the  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgia 
Mary,  at  our  City  of  New  York,  the  Annual  Rent  of  One 
Shilling,  Current  Money  of  our  said  Province,  in  lieu  and. 
stead  of  all  other  Rents,  Dues,  Duties,  Services,  Claims  and 
Demands  whatsoever  for  the  premises.  AND  LASTLY, 
we  Do  for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors  Ordain  and  Grant 
unto  the  said  Rector  and  Inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Hemp- 
stead, m  Queens  County,  on  Long  Island,  in  rommunion 
of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  Law  Established,  and  their 
Successors,  by  these  Presents,  That  this  our  Grant  shall  be 
Firm,  Good,  Effectual  and  available  in  all  things  in  the  Law 
to  all  Intents,  Constructions  and  purposes  whatsoever,  ac- 
cording to  our  true  intent  and  meaning  herein  before  De- 
clared, and  shall  be  construed,  reputed  and  adjudged  in  all 
Causes  most  favourable  on  the  behalfe  and  for  the  best  ben- 
efite  and  behoofe  of  the  said  Rector  and  Inhabitants  of  the 
Parish  of  Hempstead,  in  Queens  County,  on  Long  Island,  in. 
Communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  Law  Established,, 
and  their  Successors,  altho'  express  mention  of  the  yearly 
value  or  certainte  of  the  Premisses  or  any  of  them  in  these 
presents  is  or  are  not  named,  or  any  Statute,  Act,  Ordi- 
nance, Provision,  Proclamation  or  Restriction  heretofore 
had,  made.  Enacted,  Ordained  or  Provided,  or  any  other 
matter,  cause  or  thing  whatsoever  to  the  contrary  hereof 
notwithstanding.  IN  TESTIMONY  whereof  we  have 
caused  thc^e  our  Letters  to  be  made  Patent  and  the  Great 
Seal  of  our  said  Province  of  New  York  to  be  hereunto 
affixed,  and  the  same  to  be  Entered  on  Record  in  our 
Secretary's  Office  of  our  said  Province,  in  one  of  the  Books- 
of  Patent  there  remaining.  WITNESS  our  said  Trusty  and 
well-beloved  William  Cosby,  Esq.,  Captain-General  and 
Governor-in-Chief  of  our  Provinces  of  New  York,  New  Jer^ 
sey  and  Territories  thereon  Depending  in  America,  Vice- 
Admiral  of  the  same  and  Colonel  in  our  Army,  &c.,  in,  by- 
and  with  the  Advice  and  Consent  of  our  Council  of  our  said 


Patent  and  Charter  297 


Province  of  New  York,  at  our  Fort  George  in  our  City  of 
New  York,  the  twenty-third  Day  of  July,  in  the  Ninth  year 
•of  our  Reign,  and  in  the  year  One  Thousand  Seven  Hun- 
dred and  Thirty  Five. 

FRED'K  MORRIS,  D.  Sec'ty. 

ENDORSEMENT   ON   THE   BACK  AS   FOLLOWS  : 

Neu)  York,  Sec'ty'' s  Office,  October  ijth,  lyjS' 
I  hereby  certify  that  the  within  patent  is  recorded  in  one 
•of  the  Books  of  record  remaining  in  the  Sec'ty 's  ofifice  for  the 
Province  of  New  York,  entitled  (Patents  begun  June  the  8tl), 
173 1,)  in  fo.  190,  and  continued  thence  to  page  202,  Inclu- 
;sively,  and  that  there  are  no  raisures  nor  Interlineations 
that  were  made  either  in  the  Ingrossing  of  the  within  patent 
before  the  passing  of  the  great  Seal  thereto,  or  in  the  re- 
cording of  the  same,  but  what  are  taken  notice  of  in  a 
Memorandum  for  that  purpose  made  at  the  Bottom  of  Rec- 
ord. The  Original  and  the  Record  thereof  having  been 
-carefully  examined  by      FRED'K  MORRIS,  D.  SecHy. 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Alburtis,  Joseph 287 

Albertus,  James 4J»  : 

Aid  en,   John,   ancestor  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Seabury    ....      88 

Allen,  Henry   93 

Allen,  Mrs 98 

Allen,  Philip    93 

Allgeo.  David 97 

Arclidale,   Captain,  disor- 
derly acts  of  his  officers 

complained  of. 133 

Augevine.      Miss    A.    E., 

thanks  of"  Vestry  to. ...   232 
Angcvine,  Lewis   264  ^ 

Bald  win.  Isaac 287  ; 

Bartow,  Kev.  Mr.  letter  of     25  I 
Barroll,  W.  H.  .241,   287  | 

Baptism,    Joseph    Chees- 

mau  and  eight  children.   104 
Baptist,  Rev.  Mr   Seabury 

deserves  the  title    lOo 

Bapti-ts  in  Hempstead    ..     57 

Bainum,  Peter  C. 264 

Baldwin,  George.  .  .  .  145,   287 

Bethpage 57 

Barry,  William  J 201 

Barr,  Rev.  David  E 255 

Beach.  Re^.  Dr 194,  196 

Bedell,  John 259,  287 

Betts,  Rev.  Beverly  R.. .  .    246 

Berrian,  William 287 

Berrian,  Mrs.  Sarah  A.,  be- 
quest of ..   219 


PAGE 

Bequests  to  Church     205,  216 

217,  219 

Bishop,  the  desire  to  have 

one   in  America.      101,  119 

120,  184 

Bissett,  Rev.   Mr 194 

.Bloomer  Rev.  Mr. 165 

Bletsoe,  Rev.    Dr 180 

Books  given  to  the  parish     35 

Brown^  John 97,  287 

Braintree,  Mr.Vesev,  born 

in \    ...  .      18 

Brook  haven,   petition  for 

a  missionary 123 

Breuningliausen,  E.  W.       264 
Bruce,  Rev.  Vandervoort     246 

Brooks,  David  146 

Brush,  Rev.  William  P.  4,  274 
Burials,  recording  of  be- 
gan     204 

Bnrial  ground,  47,  addi- 
tions to.     107,  214,  247,  261 

Cary  Ordination,  excite- 
ment    256 

Carman,  Stephen 287 

Carman,  Frederick  Z  .  .  .  .    255 

Carman.   Samuel 287 

Carmichael,  Rev.Wm.  M,, 
D.D.  Called  to  rector- 
ship, 239;  expenditures 
under.  240 :  parochial 
report  of,  242  ;  bur- 
ies emigrants  drowned, 


Index. 


295^ 


PAGE 

242;  organizes  church 
at  Rockaway,  243;  re- 
signs parish,  249 ;  ser- 
mon published  at  re- 
quest of  vestry 250 

Cathedral,  Garden  City..   274 
Children    of  Hempstead, 

-wild  and  uncultivated.     34 
Chandler,        Rev.         Dr. 
Thomas  Bradbury    ....   126 

Charlton,  Dr.  John 195 

Chancel,    sitj   of    in    old 

church 61 

Chancel,  a  recess  built.  ..   263 
Church      property, — par- 
sonage,     glebe,      &c., 
whence     derived     (see 

Property,  Church) 44 

Church,  built  by  gifts  of 
congregation,  48.  Its 
dimensions,  60  ;  plan  of 
it,  61 ;  a  drawing  of  it 
but  recently  found,  61; 
struck  by  lightning,  64; 
Closed  for  a  time  dur- 
ing the  Revolutionary 
War,  125  ;  British  desire 
to  use  it  for  a  '  grana- 
ry,' 129 ;  demolished  and 
another  built,  205  ;  con- 
secrated, 208.  Seats 
declared  free,  214 ; 
rented  again,  228 ;  part 
of  glebe  sold,  240 ;  addi- 
tions to  church  yard, 
106,  247,  261;  ballad  on, 
248,  283;  recess  chan- 
cel built,  263;  roof 
slated,  264 ;  organ 
bought,  264 ;  new  fence, 
265  ;  investments,  267. 
charter  of  incorporation 
petition  for,  4,  8,  0; 
granted,  49 ;  still  in  force, 
51;  inviolability  sus- 
tained by  case  of  Dart- 


PAGB- 

mouth  College,  67; 
treated  on  by  Judge 
Hoffman,  66;  charters 
to    other  parishes,    66 ; 

Appendix 288 

Christ  Chtirch,  Philadel- 
phia, Dr.  Jenny's  ap- 
jDlication  for  rectorship, 
72  ;  Bishop  of  London's 
letter  to  the  Vestry,  74; 
Dr.  Jenny  invited  to. ..  75 
Christ  Church,  Oyster 
Bay,  early  history  of, 
57  ;  resumption  of  servi- 
ces at  176 

Clowes.  Geradus,    son  of 

Samuel,  Jamaica 49,  59 

Clowes,  William  J 287 

Clowes,  Samuel 59,  106 

Clowes,  Edward  A 287 

Clark,  Hon.  George.  ..  .61,  64 
Clark,  Rev.  J.  P.  F.  .201,  238 

Clark,  Daniel,  Esq 264 

Clowes,  Mrs.  Abigail,  be- 
quest    31» 

Clerk,  Mr.  Thomas  pays 
the  from  his  own  salary, 
37  ;  offices  and  duties 
of  the,  described,  156; 
tirst  and  last  named  per- 
son in  this  office 161 

Clock,  turret,  purchased : 

cost,  &c 262 

Clowes,    Thomas   287 

Clowes,  Thomas  H.   .264,  287 

Clowes,  John 227,  287 

Cornbury,  Lord,  letter  from  25 
Cosby,    Governor,  attends 
consecration      of      St. 
George's     Church,    62; 

his  gifts  to  it 63,  64 

Cornell,  John 48,  93,  287 

Cornell,  Richard    49,  93 

Cornell,   Col 93 

Cornell,  Col.  of  the  Rhode 
Island   troops 127 


300 


Index, 


PAGE 

Cornell,  William 49,  2«7 

Cooper,  Simon 103 

Cooper,  Rev.  Elias,  chap- 
lain   , 129,  194 

Coles,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John 
B 238 

Coles,  Mrs.  William 264 

Cow   Neck 57,  237 

Coxe,  Bishop,  ballad  on 
Church  Yard 248 

Cox,  Rev.  Samuel, 
D.D 204,  269 

Communion  Plate,  de- 
scribed    162 

Communion  Fund. .  ..173,  205 
218 

Confirmation,  first  in 
Hempstead   184,  186 

Congregation,  call  Rector 
142,   224,  251 

Coppers  taken  in  collec- 
tions to  be  sold.  . 161 

Cummings,  Rev.  Archi- 
bald  71,72 

Cutler,  Rev.  Dr.  Timothy, 
President  of  Yale  Col- 
lege, 88;  letter  com- 
mending Mr.  Seabury.     89 

Cutler,  Rev.  Dr.  Beni.  C. 
259,   261 

Cutting,  Rev.  Leonard, 
110;  transferred  to 
Hempstead.  Ill;  induc- 
tion, 112;  biography, 
113;  reports  to  Society, 
115 ;  experiences  during 
the  Revolutionary  War, 
124;  letter  describing, 
134;  leaves  the  parish, 
137 ;  subsequent  offices 
and  ministrations,  138 ; 
his  family,  139;  de- 
scription of  his  person, 
140 ;  Mrs.  Cutting,  139; 

Communion  Fund 173 

205,  208 


PAGB^ 

Communicants,  number  in 

1748 9a 

Currency,  Federal,    "when 

introduced 204 

Crommeline,  James 103 

Cruger,  Henry 103 

Cruger,  Telamon 103 

Dannat,  William  H.  .264,  287 
Dartmouth    College  case, 
as      bearing      on      St. 

George's   Charter 67 

De  Lancey,  Cornet,  dis- 
turber of  worship 131 

De  Lancey,  Chief  Justice,     64 

Denton,   Charles 264,287 

Debts,   created,  and   how 

paid 247 

Dissenters,  their  opposition 

to  the  parish 34,  35 

Docharty.  Mrs.    Prof.  G. 

B 264 

Dongan,  GoYernor,  10,  11,  13 
Drum,  used  to  call   con- 
gregation      34 

Dudley,   Governor 24 

Duke's  Laws,  the 10 

Dorland,  John... 94,  106,  287 
Dorlin,  Elias,  3rd 112 

Election,     postponed,   an 

annual 231 

Ellison,  Richard,  Esq. ...  97 
Empie,  Rev.  Adam,  D.D.  200 
Evans,  Rev.  Evan 25,  2a 

Farquher,  James,  sou  of 
Dr.  William 104 

Farm  at  South,  size,  and 
whence  derived,  53  ; 
part  sold,  173  ;  another 
do,  204 ;  the  remainder 
sold,  215;  proceeds,  how 
invested 216 

Floyd-Jones 255- 

Fletcher,  Governor,  efforts 


Index. 


301 


to  establish  the  worship 
of  Church  of  England, 
11  ;his  agency  in  found- 
ing St.  George's 13 

Flushing,  charter  granted 
to 66 

Frost,  Thomas 104 

Fulton,  Robert,  married 
a  sister  of  Mrs.  William 
Cutting 139 

Funerals,  recording  of 
began 39 

Funds,  invested,  241 ; 
misapplied,  247;  report 
against  such  proceed- 
ing     267 

Garden  City,  Cathedral . .   274 
Gas       introduced        into 

ci'iurch 264 

Gildersleeve,  Asa,  first  re- 
corded Baptism 38 

Geer,  Rev.  W.  M 4,  182 

Gildersleeve,  Thomas,  ap- 
pointed catechist,  34,  47,  49 
52,  60 

Gildersleeve,  George 49 

Gildersleeve,  James 287 

Gildersleeve,  Jonathan  260, 287 
Glebe,  building   lots  sold 
from,  240;  the  proceeds, 

how  applied 247 

Glen  Cove,  58,  104;  parish 

organized 234 

Golden,  Isaac 97 

Greaton,  Rev.  James  offi- 
ciates   at    Huntington, 

his  death 121 

Grenel,     David,     Robert, 

and  John 104 

Grace  Church,  South  Oys- 
ter Bay 254 

Hart,  Rev.  Seth,  called  to 
be  Rector,  103;  his  bi- 
ography,   197;    school, 


197;  efforts  to  getfunds 
for  a  new  church,  213; 
consecration  of,  208; 
sermon  at  consecration 
of,     209  ;     resignation, 

219;  death 221 

Hart,  Rev.  William  H. . .  222. 
Hall,  Rev.  Richard  D. 
called  to  be  Rector,  224 ; 
biography,  225 ;  peculi- 
arities of  the  call,  226; 
salary,  227;  Fourth  of 
July  commotion,  228; 
annual  election  post- 
poned, 231;  his  labors, 
232:  small  effects,  232; 

resignation   233 

Hall,  James,  Choir  master 

in  1803,  salary 161 

Harriman,  Rev.  Orlando, 
elected  Rector,  252; 
instituted,  253;  biog- 
raphy, 254;  South  Oys- 
ter Bay  organized  as  a 
parish,  254;  Oxford 
Tracts  controversy,  tc56; 
Mr.  Harriman  resigns,  257 
Harwo(xl,     Rev.    Edwin, 

D.  D 183 

Harper,  Philip,  J.  A 264 

Haviland,  Samuel 179 

Heathcote,  Governor.  .24,  255 
Hempstead,  origin  of 
church  m,  d;  church 
and  house  built  for  the 
minister,  25;  its  situa- 
tion and  healthiness  de- 
scribed, 32;  population 
of  the  town  in  1761,102; 
population  largely  tories 
in  the  Revolutionary  war  126 

Hentz,    John    H 287 

Herodotus  quoted 3 

Hewlett,  Whitehead  H..   28.7 

Hewlett,  Benjamin 93,  287 

Hewlett,  George 287 


302 


Index, 


PAGE 

Hewlett,   Richard,    106,    145, 
287 

Hewlett,  Stephen   337 

Hewlett,  Daniel 49 

Hewlett,  John   J 287 

Hewlett,  Samuel,  bequest 

319,  260,  387 

Hewlett,  Joseph,  Rectory, 
at  Rockaway 346 

Hewlett,  Mrs.  Mary  Ann 
(Moorej 187 

Hicks,  Philip 104 

Hobart,  Rev.  J.  H.  call  to, 
192;    brief    Rectorship. 
194;     related     to    Rev. 
Jeremy  Hobart, 195 

Horsmanden,  Judge   ....     31 

Hospital,  St.  John's, 
Brooklyn 383 

Hogewout,  Lefifert, .  .  .  98,  106, 
113,  145,  379,  387 

Huntington,  church  built, 
97;  petitions  Venerable 
Society,  98;  the  congre- 
gation at,  100;  house 
and  glebe  purchased, 
103;  petitions  for  a  mis- 
sionary    133 

Hubbard  or  Hobart,  Rev. 
Jeremy,  a  house  built 
for,  by  the  town,  45; 
leaves  Hempstead,  46  ; 
akin  to  Rev.  (Bishop) 
J.  H.  Hobart 195 

Hutton,  Rev.  Richard 
Graham 183 

Hugins,  James 49 

Humphrey's  History  Prop. 
Society 34 

Hymns,  when  introduced 
in  the  Church  Service, 
159;  Dr.  Smith's  gratifi- 
cation at   159 

Hyde,  Edward  Henry, 
grave  in  church-yard, 
and  Bishop  Coxe's  bal- 


PAGE 

lad  on 348 

Invested  Funds,  341,  347,  367 
Independents  inimical  to 

tlie  church 31 

Induction     of   Rev.    Mr. 

Thomas,  38;  Rev.    Mr. 

Seabury,  81 ;    Rev.  Mr. 

Cutting,  113;  Rev.  Mr. 

Moore 145' 

Islip,  petitions  for  a  mis- 
sionary, 123;  Rev.  T.  L. 

Moore  sent  there 150 

Ireland,  Rev.  Mr 194 

Jarvis,  Jacob,  son  of  Ben- 
jamin    104 

Jackson,  John    106 

Jamaica,  Charter  granted 

to   66 

Jenks,  Rev.  W.  A 338 

Jenney,  Rev.  Dr.,  31; 
succeeds  Rev.  Mr.  Tho- 
mas, 43 ;  his  reports 
to  Ven.  Society,  53, 
death  of  Mrs.  J.,  69;  vis- 
itsEngland,  70;  applies 
to  be  Rector  of  Christ 
Church.  Phil.,  73;  re- 
signs St.  George's,  75 ; 
his  character,  76 ;  degree 
of  LL.D.  conferred,  76; 
Inscription  on  tomb- 
stone      77' 

Jenny,  Mrs.,  her  death.  ,  .  69  = 
Johnson,  Rev.  Evan  M. . .   321 

Johnson,  Jacob 97 

.Jones,  Gen.  Henry  Floyd  355 

Jones,  John 179 

Jones,  Elbert  Floyd 255 

Jones,  David 179 

Jones,  Samuel 255 

Jones,  Judge  Thomas, 
History  of  New  York 
during  the  Revolution- 
ary War 127 


Index. 


303 


PAGE 

Jones,  J.  S.  Jackson 255 

Jecocks,  Thomas,  clerk  in 

1735 161 

Jones,   Jackson  J 174 

Jones,  David  R.  Floyd..   215 
287 
Keith,     Rev.    George    14, 
21;  extracts  from  jour- 
nal, 22;  letter  from,  27; 
Keble  Thomas,  school-mas- 
ter at  Mosquito  Cove...     58 

Kellum,  John    265 

Kissam,    Daniel,   93,    104,  106 

112,  142,  169,  203,  287 

Kissam,  Joseph 93 

Langdou,  Joseph 49 

LaBgdon,  William   49 

Land  in  front  of  parson- 
age,   voted   to   care   of 

Rector 174 

Latham,  William 93 

LawrcLce,    William,    son 

of  Dr 104 

Lee,  Thomas         49,93 

Leaky,  William,  school- 
master    121 

Laing,    William  L.,  office 

and  generosity    254 

LeflFerts,  John,  opens 
school  at  South  of  vil- 
lage, 122;  resigns  it, 
123,  205;  bequest  of  to 

St.  George's 216 

Lester.  Gilbert 104 

Lester,  Benjamin 93 

Lewis,   Benjamin . .      93 

Library  Parish 266 

Lowth,  Bishop 151 

Lott  Herinones 287 

Lowe,  Mr.  John,  ordained 

at  Hempstead    165 

Littlejohn,  Rt.  Rev.  A.  N. 

D.D.,  LL.D.  address  of  185 
Loyd,  Cornet,  a  disturber 
of  wi)rship      131 


Ludlow,  George  D.,  a  ves- 
tryman, refuses  to  act 
with  the  others,  131; 
his  offices  and  career. . .   132 

287 

Mather,  Rev.  Increase...  14 
Magens,    Joachim,     Mel- 

chier 104 

Manhasset   church    built, 

198;  academy  built,  200; 

Organized    as  a  parish, 

202 ;  rectors  of 204,  237 

Mallaby,Rev.Thomas,  238,273 

Marcus,  Rev.  Moses 238 

Mc'Nulty,     Rev.    Stephen 

A 274 

March,  John,  Esq.  gifts  to 

church, 63,  64,  78,  163 

Martin,  Josiah 97,  127 

Martin,  Samuel,  M.  D.,  128 
145,  287 
Marvlr,  R(;beit,  48.  C4,  C?,  lOG 
McSparran,     Kev.       Dr., 

Rector  of  Narraganset 

chuich,  influence  of  on 

Rev.   Mr.    Seabury,  88; 

letter  of  commendation, 

from 89 

Marvin,  Harry  H 287 

McTlvaine,  Rev,  Chas.  P., 

afterward  Bishop 232 

Meinell,  James 255 

Milnor,  Rev.  Dr.  James  232 
Ministry,  i>ill  for  settling  a    12 

Miller,  William 264 

McBrain,  Mrs 264 

Mills,    Alexander,    organ 

purchased  of 264 

Matthews,  Mrs.  Whitman  264 

Middleton,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  C.      4 

239 

Mitchell,  Uriah 93 

Mitchell,   John 93 

Mitchell,  Jacamiah 49 

Monroe,  George  G 287 


304 


Index, 


PAGE 

Montressor,  Henry 104 

Moore,  John 287 

Moore,  Thomas  W.  C.  163,  261 
264 
Moore,     Bishop    Richard 

Channinij.  .  .'.      .  .  .191,  194 
Moore,     Miss      Elizabeth 

Frances 264 

Moore.  Rev.  Dr.  Benjamin 

(Bishop)     194 

Moore,  Rev.  Thos.  L.  137; 
culled  to  be  Rector,  142; 
Induction,  144  ;  biogra- 
phy, 148;  preaches  in 
London,  149;  Hon.  Ed- 
mund Burke  commends 
him,  150;  appointed  to 
Tslip.  150;  marriage; 
152;  participates  in  or- 
ganizing Church  in 
America,  152 ;  Call  to 
Halifax,  155;  extent  of 
his  field  <^f  labor,  183; 
first  conlirmation,  184, 
186;  his  death,  187; 
mural  tablet,  188;  por- 
trait, 188;  death  of  Mr.^. 
Judith  Moore,  240 ; 
their  children,  189; 
death  of  the  last  one,  189 
Moore,  Rev.  W.  H.,  D.D. 
Call  to  Rectorship.  259; 
pleasant  relations  -with 
Vestry,  261  ;  improve- 
ments in  churcii  prop- 
erty    265 

Mott,   Jacob 106 

Mote,  Joseph     49 

Mott,   John,  Esq 47,  60 

Morris,  Col.,  vs.  Assembly 

bill    13 

Morris,  Governor 24 

Mo-^quito     Cove,       (Glen 

Cove) 58,  104 

Music  in  the    parish,  157 ; 
chants  read,  160;  no  or- 


PAGE 

gan,  157;  Hymns  intro- 
duced, 159  ;  changes  in  160 
Mulford,  Charles  W.  .264,  287 
Myles,  Rev.  Samuel, 
King's  Chapel,  Boston, 
19 ;  theological  teacher 
of  Mr.  Vesey 20 

Neide,  Rev.  George  L.  .  .   246 
Newtown,       St.      James, 

charter  granted 66 

New     Rochelle,     petition 

from 24 

Nichols,    Governor,  Rich- 
ard       9,  10 

Nichols.  Gideon 206,  280 

Nichols',  Gideon 264 

Nichols,        Mrs.        Eliza- 
beth,   incidents  of   her 

life  and  death 278 

Noble,  Rev.  Birdsev,  G..   200 
Norton,  William,  Esq. .  . .    264 

Oakley,   Jacob,   F 264 

Onderdonk,  Benjamin,  of 

Hendrick 104 

Onderdonk.     Bishop     B. 

T.  ...204,  237,  239,  243,  253 
Onderdonk,  Henry,  Jr.  of 

Jamaica 4,  201 

Onderdonk,  Andrew.  146,  287 
Onderdonk,  Mrs.    mother 

of  the  Bishops   243 

Ordination  at  Hempstead, 

first  in  New  York    165 

Onderdonk,  Henry  M....   287 
Ordronaux,    Prof.     John, 

M.D.,  Esq 273 

Organ  bought,  subscribers  264 
Oyster  Bay,  24;  church 
people.  57  ;  Quakers  at, 
57 ;  Dr.  Jenney  officiates 
at,  59 ;  large  congrega- 
tion at,  102;  Mr.  Cut- 
ting officiates,  116;  a 
"wild  set"  at,  122;  ac- 


Index, 


305 


PAGE 

count    of     revival     of 

church  at 176 

Oyster  Bay,  South,  Grace 
Church,  history  of  its 
organizatiou,  etc 254 

Parish  Register,  date  of 
begiuning,  39;  what  it 
contains,  39;  funerals, 
when  first  recorded  in,     39 

Parish  Library, 266 

Parish,  its  extent  and 
boundaries,  13,  note, 
and  57,  58  ;   number  of 

members   . .    198 

Parsonage,  25 ;  when  and 
by  whom  built,  45;  re- 
paired, 92;  a  new  (me, 
171 ;  land  in  front  of 
given  to  care  of  rector.  174 
Parsonage,  South,  a  farm 
whence  derived,  53 ; 
part  of  it  sold,  173; 
still  another  part  do, 
204;  remainder  sold, 
215 

Paff,  George  N 264 

Petition    for     missionary 

from  Hempstead    24 

Pew  rents  abolished,  214; 

restored 228 

Peiletrau,  Rev.  Charles..   274 
Pearson,  Rev.  Robert  T. .   246 

Peters,  John 93,  97,  287 

Peters,    Charles 49,  93 

Peters,  Valentine  H 97 

Petit,  Townseud  B 287 

Petit,  Lewis   259,  287 

Pine,  Daniel 93,  97,  287 

Pine,    Richard 225 

Pine,  James 48,  49 

Phillips,  Rev.  J.  F.    181,   238 

Piatt,  Epenetus   106 

Piutard,  Captain,  gift  of 
silver  plate,  161  ;  hard 
usage  from  British,  162;  ' 


PAGB 

his  propercy  adjoining 
church  glebe 16^ 

Potters,   John 112 

Postponement  of  an  annu- 
al election 231 

Porter,  Rev.  G.  W.,  D.D.   271 
Population     of   Hemp- 
stead in  1722 56 

Provoost,  Bishop,  conse- 
crated, 154;  address  of 
congr.itulation  to,  154; 
his  prejudice  against 
Bishop  Seabury 166 

Property,  Church,  whence 
derived.  44  and  54; 
parsonage  built,  45; 
Church  built,  44;  town 
property  voted  to 
church,  46;  farm  at 
south  of  Hempstead,  46 ; 
action  of  freeholders 
about  church  and  glel)e, 
47  ;  parsonage  farm  at 
south,  53;  value  of,  154; 
part  sold,  ]  73 ;  do,  204 ; 
do,  215;  proceeds  of 
sale   216 

Presbyterian  effort  to 
establish  a  congrega- 
tion south  of  village, 
121;  the  church  in 
Hempstead      used    for 

military  purposes 129 

Presbyterians  preached 
occasional  in  Hemp- 
stead, 52  ;  controversy 
with  the  Independents 
for  possession  of  church, 

52,  56 

Psalms,  version  of  Stern- 
hold  and  Hopkins.  .  .    .   157 

Prayer  Book,  presented 
by  Queen  Ann,  still 
preserved,  and  describ 
ed 164. 

Puritans  of  New  England, 


3o6 


Index, 


PAGE 

tiforts  to  oppose  Church 
in  Virginia,  14 ;  also  in 
New  York    15 

Ransom,  Rev.  Joseph  ....    182 

Ratoone,  Rev.  Mr..    .192,  194 
Rierson,  George   ..   ..    ..    112 

Register,  parish,  long  un- 
supplieci,  36  ;  a  tempo- 
rary resort,  38 ;  one  pre- 
sented    39 

Revolutionary  War,  dis- 
turbances     in      parish 

wrought  by 123,  132 

Rhodes,     William  .  ...205,  225 
227,  260,  287 
Richards,  Rev.  Edmund,   182 
Rockhall,  Rockaway, buil- 
der, 128;  painting  there 

by  Copely 128 

Rockaway,  Trinity  Church, 
history  of,  242  ;    chapel 

consecrated 245 

Rockwell,  James.  .     .104,  287 
Roslvn,    Trinitv    Church, 

History  of . . ! 268 

Rushn:ore,  Lewis  247,  260,287 
Rusiimore,  Benjamin  F.  .    264 
Rye,    Dr.    Jenney    called 
from,  43;  charter 66 

Sands,  Rev.  John  Jackson  194 

Sacrament  Fund,  173,  205,  218 

Sayres,  Rev.  Gilbert  H., 
b.D 227 

Sayres,    Rev.    Snmuel  W. 

4,  242,  246 

Sciiools  inconstant,  except 
those  of  the  Venerable 
Society,  58;  masters, 
how  paid 58 

School-house  at  parsonage 
built,  103  ;  sold 222 

St.  George's  Church,  di- 
mensions, 60 ;  consecra- 
ted,  62;   gifts   to,    63; 


PAGS^ 

gallery  added,  96 ;  taken 
down,       and      another 
built,    205  ;  consecrated  208 
St.    Andrews,    Staten  Is- 
land, charter 66 

St.  Peters,      Westchester, 

charter 66 

Seabury,  Rev.  Samuel, 
called  to  St.  George's, 
80;  Induction,  81;  De- 
claration, 83 ;  biogra- 
phy, 86  :  goes  to  Eng- 
land, 88 ;  Ordination, 
90;  characteristics  as  a 
preacher,  90 :  person- 
al appearance,  91  ;  at- 
tacked by  a  dissenting 
preacher,  99  ;  extracts 
from  his  reports,  100; 
urges  that  a  l)ishop  be 
sent  to  America,  101  ,- 
ministrations  in  Dutch- 
ess County.  101;  his= 
school,  103  ;  many  bap- 
tisms, 105.  death  and 
epitaph,  106;  prize  in  a 
lottery,  107;  his  descend- 
ants.'      108 

Seabury,    Mrs.,     survives 
her    husband,  provided 

-with  a  home 106,  118 

Seabury,  Rev.  Samuel,  Jr. 
(Bishop)  first  reference 
to  in  his  father's  corre- 
spondence. 96  ;  petitions; 
Society  to  supply  vacan- 
cy at  Hempstead,  109;, 
describes  the  Hemp- 
stead parish,  110;  his 
opponents,    166;    loved 

at  Hempstead 168 

Seabury,  Rev.  Charles.  .  194 
Seabury,  Robert  S.  . .  264,  287 
Seabury,  Dr.  Adam..  112,  14ft 

Seabury,   Adam 287 

Seabury,  Henry  P   264 


Index. 


307 


PAGE 

Searing,  Samuel 93 

Searing,  James,  M.  D. . .    163 
Searle,     Cornet     Charles, 
apologizes   for   outrage 

at  Church 130 

Seaman,   Samuel  L.    227,  253 
260,  264,  287 

Serring,  John 48,  287 

Shelton,    Rev.    Dr.    Wil- 
liam     201 

Sioclaire,  Cornet,  a  distur- 
ber of  worship 131 

Skillin,  Edward 264 

Smith,  James 93,  287 

Smith,  John 93 

Smith,  Timothy     93,  112 

Smith,  Micah 93,  94,  287 

Smith,  Joseph 48,  93,  287 

Smith,  Peter,  Senior 93 

Smith,  Isaac 106 

Smith,  Jacob 48,  287 

Smith,  Rev.    Dr.  William 

to  be  Bishop   137 

Smith,  Rev.  J.  Carpenter, 

D.D   246 

Smith,  Israel 146 

Smith,  Mrs,    Abigail,  be- 
quest.   217;     Marriage,  280 
Smith's  History,  vs.  Gov. 

Fletcher 12 

Snedeker,  Abraham 287 

Snedeker,  Isaac 287 

South  Ovster  Bay,  Grace 

Church 254 

Society  Propagation,  9,21; 
petition,  109;  thanks  to  112 
Sparks,  Rev.  J.W.  274 
Sprague,  Dr.  W.,  Episco- 
pal Pulpit   113 

Stanford,  Thomas,  Esq..   261 

Stearns,   Rev.  J   182 

Stringham,  James 227 

Stringham,  James 48 

Stowell,  Rev.  Henry  C.  ..   255 
Stewart.  Alexander  T.  me- 
morial to 274 


PACK 

Sutton,  Robert 48 

Sunday-school  organized.  232 

Taylor,  John 104 

Temple,  Mr.,   Schoolmas- 
ter      71 

Thomas,  Rev.    John,    25; 
induction,     28;     corre- 
spondence    with    Ven. 
Society,  30 ;  no  register 
of  his  acts,  36 ;  a  tempo- 
rary one,  38;  his  last  let- 
ter, 40,  date   of  death, 
40 ;  Wood's  estimate  of 
his   qualities,    41 ;     his 
will,  41;  no  tombstone,     41 
Thomas,  General  Thomas, 
of    Continental     Army, 
grandson  of   Rev.    Mr. 

Thomas 43 

Thome,  Richard.. 48.  94,  287 
Thrall,  Rev.  S.  Chipman.  255 
Totten's  Lane,  closed  and 
added   to    church-yard  107 

Townsend,  Micajah    104 

Townsend,  Jotham 104 

Townsend,   Epenetus 104 

Townsend,  John 106 

Townsend,  Samuel 179 

Townsend,  Robert 179 

Townsend,  Edward  M....   181 

Tredwell,  Benjamin    .48,  146, 

287 

Tredwell,  Benjamin,  253,  287 

Tredwell,  Col.  John 48 

Trinity      Church,      New 
York,  call  to  Mr.  Vesey, 
17 ;  gift  to  St.  George'*s  175 
to  Man  h asset,  199;  loan 
from  St.  George's,  216; 

repaid 218 

Trotter,  William,  Jr 181 

Trustees  of   temporalities 

of  the  church  chosen,  143, 147 

Turnpike  Stock  bought. .   205 

218i 


3o8 


Index, 


PAGE 

Turner,  James  113,  287 

Urquhart,  Rev.  William. .   39, 
194 
Valentine,  Charles,  of  Ja- 
cob    104 

Valentine,  Samuel.. 225,  227, 
253,  287 

Valentine,  Jacob 287 

Vandewater,  Rev.  George 

R 182 

Van  Dyke,  Rev.  Mr 194 

Van  Nostrand,  Cornelius  112, 

145,  287 

VanNostrand,  George, 227, 287 

Van  Nostrand,  Martin,  145,287 

Van  Zandt,  Wynant 203 

Vesey,  Rev.  William,  15 ; 
a  communicant  of 
Church  of  England,  20  ; 
called  to  Trinity  Church 
New  York.  20;  Inducts 

Rev.  Mr.  Thomas 29 

Vesey,  Mr.  William,  of 
Brain  tree,  Mass.,  lined 
for  disregard  of  rules  of 

Congregationalists 17 

Vestries,  Civil,  vs.  Eccle- 
siastical Vestry,  13;  Ves- 
trymen, list  of 287 

Virginia,  Puritan  efforts  in    15 

Watts,  George... 112,  145,  287 
War,  Revolution,  signs  of 
approach,     123;    inter- 
rupts    intercourse      of 


PAGE 

missionaries  with  Van. 

Society 124 

Wardens  and  Vestrymen, 

list  of 287 

Waters,  George  G.,  Esq..  264 

Walters,  Henry 264 

Ward,  Rev.  C.  W 182 

Webb,  Edwin,  M.D.  264,  287 

Weeks,  George.  ..112,  145,  287 

Weeks,  Thomas  W. . .  206,  225 

287 

Weller,  A.  N.,  Esq 287 

Westbury 57 

Wilberforce,  Bp.,  quoted.  185 

Willets,  David  B 287 

Wheatley  Village 57 

Westchester,    St.  Peter's, 

charter 66 

Whitfield,    Rev.    George, 

his  career 119 

Wilkins,  Isaac 104 

Willis,  John 287 

Wiggins,  Daniel 104 

Wheeler,  Rev.  Eli 200 

Wood,  James,  97,  112,145,387 
Wood,    Samuel,    gifts   to 

church 163,  265 

Wood,  Abrara 227,265 

Wood,   Stephen 205 

Wooley,  Misses  Sarah  and 

Elizabeth,  bequests    . . .   219 
Woodbridge,  Rev.  Sylves- 
ter,      sermon      against 
church  right  to  property  350 

Youngs,  David  J 181 


1.  7    S  Wt^^^^'^-V^L^/'t-i^    i 


